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WILLING 
LETTERS AND PAPERS 



WILLING 
LETTERS AND PAPERS 

EDITED WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY OF 

THOMAS WILLING 

OF PHILADELPHIA 
(1731-1821) 



BY 



THOMAS WILLING BALCH 

L. H. D. Trinity (Hartford) 

Member of 

The American Philosophical Society (Philadelphia) 

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences (Boston) 

The American Antiquarian Society (Worcester) 



Philadelphia 

ALLEN, LANE AND SCOTT 

1922 






Copyright 

By THOMAS WILLING BALCH 

1922 



Seventy-two copies of this work have been 
printed. The type has been distributed. 



This is number 



3 



4Pfi-4?3 



C)CU7040^0 



'Y. ft I 



TO 
ELISE WILLING BALCH 

1853-1913 



PREFACE. 

Philadelphia has had among her sons three finan- 
ciers, each of whom in his day and generation took 
a leading part in upholding and maintaining the 
credit of America — Thomas Willing, Stephen Girard 
and Jay Cooke. 

"Old Square Toes," as Thomas Willing was often 
affectionately called by his relatives, descendants, 
and intimate friends — a nickname given him be- 
cause of the broad toed shoes that he wore, and 
a cognomen that in the public mind symbolized 
the sound and sure basis of his financial opera- 
tions — has not yet received a fair recognition of 
the important services he rendered to the develop- 
ment first of the Province of Pennsylvania and 
then of the United States. Beginning with the 
meeting of the Albany Congress, for a period of al- 
most sixty years, he played a potent though not 
spectacular role in American affairs. That so little 
attention has as yet been given to his public 
services, is no doubt due to the fact that during 
the Revolution his junior partner was for more 
than two years Financier General, or as we would 
say today, Secretary of the Treasury of the United 
States. The name "Financier," appealed easily to 

( vii ) 



viii PREFACE. 

the popular imagination. As a result the more 
spectacular doings of the junior partner of the 
firm of Willing and Morris have been pushed into 
the limelight, while it has been entirely forgotten 
that Robert Morris for his financial operations for 
the government had at his back the credit and 
prestige of his firm — the leading firm in all the 
colonies — of which Thomas WiUing was the head 
and directing mind. Robert Morris was indeed 
the partner of Thomas Willing. 

There is only one thing in the career of Thomas 
Willing of which, as one of his descendants, I am 
not proud. That is that his firm sold slaves. Of 
course it was in accord with the custom of the 
times; everyone did it in the colonial period. With 
this exception, however, the descendants of Thomas 
Willing can look upon his whole career with great 
pride. In this connection I take a personal pleas- 
ure in the fact that my paternal grandfather 
manumitted his slaves in Frederick County, Mary- 
land, in the late twenties and the early thirties 
of the nineteenth century. 

This volume of Thomas Willing's letters and 
writings, and other Willing papers, together with 
a biographical essay giving some idea of his career, 
is printed in a limited edition. The best collection 



PREFACE. IX 

of Willing papers is the one I have presented to the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. They are all 
printed in the present volume, together with letters 
that are elsewhere. But undoubtedly there are nu- 
merous other of Thomas Willing's letters in various 
receptacles, and it is hoped that the present publica- 
tion will bring some of them to light. There is all 
the more reason to publish his letters so that the 
man's fine character can be revealed in them to all 
who may wish to study and write American history. 
In collecting the facts and information upon 
which this essay is based, I have received aid of 
one kind or another from many sources: among 
others I may mention my mother (the late Mrs. 
Thomas Balch), John Thompson Spencer, Esq., 
the present Thomas Francis Bayard, Esq., Charles 
Willing, Esq., (son of the late Richard Lloyd 
Willing, Esq.), Mrs. George Peirce (who was Miss 
Lucy Spotswood), Miss Constance R. Beale, Mrs. 
Howard Gardiner, Hampton Lawrence Carson, Esq., 
the Hon. Simon Gratz, Dr. Thomas Lynch Mont- 
gomery, and Messrs. Ernest Spofiford, and Albert 
Cooke Myers. To these gracious women and curtious 
men as well as others, my best thanks are due. 

T. W. B. 
Philadelphia, the 10th of November, 1922. 



THOMAS WILLING 

OF PHILADELPHIA 

(1731-1821) 

When, by the peace of Paris in 1763, France 
ceded Canada and all her North American con- 
tinental possessions as far west as the Mississippi 
River to Great Britain, all fear of future French 
attacks was removed from the thoughts of the 
English colonists along the Atlantic shore of 
North America. The fear of that aggression 
had been a real one for many a decade, and 
had caused the colonists to look to and rely 
upon the mother land for protection against the 
repeated attacks of the French and their Indian 
allies under Frontenac and Montcalm. But 
with the signing of peace and the removal of 
the French menace to the future peace and 
happiness of the English colonies, the chief 
factor that cemented the colonies and the 
mother land into a close unison of mutual 
concern vanished. And soon a divergence of 
interests between them began to appear. For as 
the mother land had been put to great expense 



II THOMAS WILLING 

to carry on both in America and Europe the 
repeated wars with France, the British King and 
his advisers decided that it was proper that the 
colonists should bear a proportion of the burdens 
of taxation. But the Americans thought they 
should not be taxed by the British Parliament 
in which they were not represented. Accordingly 
where concord had obtained between the colonies 
and the mother land before the peace of 1763, 
antagonism and discord began to appear after 
that date. And so was started a rivalry that 
eventually broke out into strife upon the field of 
battle and resulted under the lead of Washington 
in the separation of the colonies from Great 
Britain and the establishment of thirteen new 
independent and sovereign members of the family 
of Nations. These thirteen States eventually came 
to be welded and forged into the one present 
Nation, the United States of America. 

During all the years from 1760 until the 
beginning of the second decade of the nineteenth 
century, a period of half a century, one of the 
potent but not spectacular figures in the develop- 
ment of the colonies and the United States, was 
Thomas Willing of Philadelphia, in his time the 
leading merchant of the British North American 



OF PHILADELPHIA. Ill 

colonies and the first great banker of the young 
United States. 

Thomas WilHng's great-grandfather, Joseph 
WilHng of Gloucestershire, England, married on 
the 1st of July, 1672, first Elizabeth Plaver, who 
died on the 14th of October, 1675, by whom he 
had issue two sons: George, born on the r2th of 
September, 1673, and Joseph, born on the 22nd 
of September, 1675. The next year, he took 
unto himself a second wife, Ava Lowle of 
Glouchester, whom he married on the 24th of 
May, 1676. She was an heiress of Saxon family 
and good estate. She died the 31st of December, 
^7^7- Joseph Willing upon his marriage to Ava 
Lowle, assumed her arms: "Sable, a hand 
couped at the wrist, grasping three darts, one 
in pale and two in sallure argent." By this 
lady he had issue six children. Their eldest son 
was Thomas Willing of Bristol, England, where 
he was a prosperous and influential merchant. 
He was born on the 6th of January, 1679-80; 
and married on the i6th of July, 1704, Anne 
Harrison, who was a grand-daughter of two of 
the regicides. One was the redoubtable Major- 
General Thomas Harrison of Cromwell's time and 
a member of the Long Parliament, and the other 



IV THOMAS WILLING 

Simon Mayne of Lincolnshife.^ Thomas Willing 
of Bristol, who married Mary Syms, by whom 
he left surviving issue in England, first visited 
America in 1720 in company with his younger 
brother Richard Willing. They returned to 
Bristol in 1725. The latter, who was born the 
26th of May, 1 68 1, and died the 6th of Septem- 
ber, 1736, is said to be buried in the mayor's 
chapel at Bristol. 

Having been much impressed during this first 
trans-Atlantic visit with the future potential 
greatness of the English North American colonies, 
Thomas Willing of Bristol, in 1728, again crossed 
the Atlantic on a second visit to America. This 
time he took with him his eldest son, Charles 
Willing, then a youth of eighteen, to establish 
him in business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
the rising metropolis of the colonies. Returning 
after a time to Bristol, Thomas Willing, the 
father, died there in 1760. But during more 
than two decades he kept up a constant corre- 
spondence with his son Charles in Philadelphia 
until the latter's death in 1754. 

^ Thomas Balch : Letters and Papers relating chiefly to the Provincial 
History of Pennsylvania {The Shippen Papers), Philadelphia, 1855, 
page c et seq. — R. Winder Johnson: The Ancestry of Rosalie Johnson; 
Philadelphia, 1905, page 240. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. V 

As the first of the family to remain per- 
manently in America, Charles Willing may be 
looked upon as the founder of the family in the 
New World. He married at Philadelphia on the 
2 1 St of January, 1730, Anne, daughter of Joseph 
Shippen and his wife Abigail Grosse Shippen,^ 
and granddaughter of Edward Shippen, first 
mayor of Philadelphia under Penn's charter of 
1 70 1. Charles Willing prospered in business and 

^ The arms borne by the Willings since the marriage of Joseph 
Willing to his second wife, Ava Lowle, originally the arms of the 
Lowles, are foirnd on ancient silver of the Willings, bequeathed by 
will prior to 1754. These arms, ''Sable, a hand couped at the wrist, 
grasping three darts, one in pale and two in sallure argent," are 
found on an expensively cut seal impaling the arms of Shippen. 
As is obvious from the impalement of the arms of Shippen, and as is 
otherwise known, this seal belonged to Charles Willing of Phila- 
delphia, the founder of the family in America. 

Concerning the Shippen family see Thomas Balch: Letters 
and Papers relating chiefly to the Provincial History of Pennsyl- 
vania {The Shippen Papers), Philadelphia, 1855; — and Thomas 
Willing Balch: The English Ancestors of the Shippens and Edward 
Shippen of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 1904: This article is also 
printed in The Pennsylvania Magazine, Philadelphia, 1904. 

Abigail Grosse, grandmother of Thomas Willing of Philadelphia, 
was descended from Adam Winthrop of England, the grandfather 
of Governor John Winthrop of the Massachxisetts Bay colony. 
See note by Arthur Winfred Hodgman in the New England Historic 
and Genealogical Register, July 1919, pages 238-239. This Grosse- 
Winthrop genealogy was called to my attention by Colonel J. Granr 
ville Leach, 



VI THOMAS WILLING 

became a leading citizen of the city and the colony. 
In 1747 he joined as a captain the Associated 
Regiment that was organized for the defense of 
Philadelphia and the region of Delaware Bay 
against a possible attack by the French. In 
1748 the non-Quaker element of the city, fearing 
a French attack, elected him mayor of the city. 
About this time he built a handsome house. 
Describing it in The Republican Court, published 
in 1855, Griswold says:^ 

"His house, still standing at the south west 
comer of Third Street and Willing's Alley, 
though now deprived of its noble grounds, 
running back to Fourth Street and far onward 
down to Spruce Street, and shaded with oaks 
that might be regarded as of the primeval 
forests, is still remarked for its spacious comfort 
and its old-fashioned repose." In a foot-note 
on the same page, Griswold further comments 
on the Willing grounds as follows: "The west 
end of this lot, fronting on Fourth Street, M^ 
Thomas Willing, son of [Charles Willing above] 
mentioned, surrendered to his son-in-law and 
nephew, M". Thomas Willing Francis, who built 

^ Rufus Wilmot Griswold: The Republican Court, New York, 
185s, page 15. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. VII 

Upon it the beautiful mansion now occupied 
by M^ Joseph R. IngersoU. On the southern 
part, Charles Willing himself built a residence, 
which has since given place to other buildings, 
for his son-in-law, Colonel William Byrd of 
Westover in Virginia. General Washington for 
some time had his head-quarters at Philadelphia 
in this house. It was afterwards the residence 
of Chief Justice Chew." 

In 1749 Charles Willing was chosen one of 
the first trustees of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania.* In 1754 he was again chosen the chief 
magistrate of the city. During his first term in 
office he was an original subscriber to the 
Assembly dances, and to-day his blood runs in 
the veins of more subscribers to the historic 
Philadelphia Assemblies than that of any sub- 
scriber whose name is found on the first sub- 
scription list of 1748-49. During his second 
term as mayor in 1754, the yellow fever broke 
out in Philadelphia. And Charles Willing, his 
strength undermined by his exertions in his 

* University of Pennsylvania: Matriculates of the College, 1749- 
1893, Philadelphia, 1894, page xi. Thomas Harrison Montgomery: 
A History of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1900, 
page 52. 



VIII THOMAS WILLING 

official capacity to combat that dreaded disease, 
fell one of its victims. Upon his death he was 
succeeded in his business by his son Thomas 
Willing of Philadelphia in which city he was 
born the 19th of December, 1731. 

Thomas Willing was sent in his youth to 
England, where under the care, first of his 
grandmother Willing he was educated at Bath, 
and afterwards under direction of his uncle 
Thomas Willing, of Bristol and London, he read 
law in the Inner Temple. He was entered as 
a student in the Inner Temple on the 5th of 
October, 1748. 

Returning home to Philadelphia in 1749, he 
subscribed for the second season of the Assembly 
Dances. And for the season of 1755, he was a 
manager of those now historic dances, as a card 
still extant tells us. 

In the previous year, 1754, at the age of 
twenty-three, he began his long career of service 
to the State, which was to run on until 1811 
when he was eighty years of age, a period 
of fifty- seven years, by serving as a secretary 
of the Pennsylvania delegation to the congress 
of delegates from the colonies that was held 
at Albany. That was the first gathering of 



OF PHILADELPHIA. IX 

representatives from the various provinces that 
was convened to deliberate upon their common 
welfare and future interests. And at that 
Congress began in actual practice that American 
policy that eventually, step by step, drew the 
colonies ever closer together, until finally they 
became in the first place thirteen independent 
members of the family of Nations and sub- 
sequently, owing in large part to the danger of 
attack from outside, they became fused, upon the 
adoption of the Federal Constitution, into one 
prosperous and powerful member of that family 
circle. 

On the 8th of July, 1760, Thomas Willing 
was elected a trustee of the University of 
Pennsylvania,^ and served in that office until 
he retired in 1791.^ He was chosen, along 
with Richard Peters and Benjamin Chew, one 
of the seven commissioners to have surveyed 
the Pennsylvania- Maryland boundary line, form- 

^ Thomas Harrison Montgomery: A History of the University of 
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, 1900, page 105. 

^ University of Pennsylvania: Biographical Catalogue of the Matric- 
ulates of the College together with a list of the members of the College 
Faculties and the Trustees, Officers and recipients of honorary degrees ^ 
i^4j-i8qj; Philadelphia, 1894, page xii. 



X THOMAS WILLING 

ing a part of the famous Mason and Dixon 
Line.^ 

On the 6th of June, 1761, he was appointed 
a judge of the Orphans's Court for the City 
and County of Philadelphia.^ In the year 1763, 
he was chosen mayor of Philadelphia. And he 
was the first to sign the address of welcome 
which "The Merchants and Traders of the City 
of Philadelphia" addressed on the 21st of Novem- 
ber in that year to John Penn upon his arrival 
to assume the duties of Lieutenant Governor 
and Commander-in-Chief of the Provinces.^ In 
1765 his name likewise headed the list of Phila- 
delphia merchants who signed the Non-Im- 
portation Resolutions, in which the signers de- 
clared the Stamp Act unconstitutional and 
against the best interests both of the colonies 
and Great Britain. ^^ And he was appointed 
the chairman of the committee that was to 

'Walter Lefferts: The Story of Pennsylvania's Southern Boundary; 
Bulletin of the Geographical Society of Philadelphia, January-Octo- 
ber, 1920, page 97. 

* John Hill Martin: Bench and Bar of Philadelphia, 1883, page 69. 

® Original manuscript in the collections of the Historical Society 
of Pennsylvania. See post, page 23. 

^° Original manuscript in the collections of the Historical Society 
of Pennsylvania. See post, page 29. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XI 

call on the merchants of the city to sign these 
important resolutions. In part those resolutions 
read as follows : 

"First, it is unanimously resolved and agreed 
that in all orders, any of the Subscribers to 
this Paper, may send to Great Britain for 
goods, they shall and will direct their Corres- 
pondents not to ship them until the Stamp Act 
is repealed. 

"Secondly, That, all those amongst the Sub- 
scribers that have already sent orders to Great 
Britain for goods, shall and will immediately 
countermand the same until the Stamp Act is 
Repealed. * * * 

"Thirdly, that, none of the Subscribers hereto, 
shall or will send any Goods or Merchandise 
whatsoever that shall be ship'd them on Com- 
mission from Great Britain after the first Day 
of January next unless the Stamp Act he repeal 'd." 

In 1767, Thomas WiUing was appointed a 
justice of the Supreme Court of the Province 
of Pennsylvania, and in that judicial office he 
was one of the last to act in February, 1777, 
under the colonial form of government. 

On the loth of January, 1768, he was elected 
a member of the American Philosophical Society, 



XII THOMAS WILLING 

the oldest learned society in the new world and 
a Philadelphia institution. 

On the 1 8th of June, 1774, he and John Dick- 
inson, presided together over a meeting of the 
citizens of Philadelphia held in State House Yard, 
at which it was resolved that the Act of Parlia- 
ment closing the port of Boston was uncon- 
stitutional and that it was expedient on the 
part of America to convene a Continental 
Congress. The next month, from the 15th to 
the 22nd of July, a Provincial Congress of 
delegates from the counties of Pennsylvania was 
held in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. As 
the first citizen of the American metropolis, 
regard being had to the sources and weight of 
Thomas Willing 's influence, he was chosen to 
preside over this Provincial Congress of Pennsyl- 
vania. Some of the resolutions voted, some- 
times by a majority, sometimes unanimously, 
were as follows:" 

"4. That the inhabitants of these colonies are 
entitled to the same rights and liberties within 
these colonies, that the subjects born in England 
are entitled to within that realm. 

*^ Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, Harrisburg, 1875, Volume IIL, 
pages 547-548. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XIII 

"5. That the power assumed by the ParHa- 
ment of Great Britain to bind the people of 
these colonies, 'by statutes in all cases whatso- 
ever,' is unconstitutional, and therefore the 
source of these unhappy differences. 

"6. That the Act of Parliament for shutting 
the port of Boston, is unconstitutional; oppres- 
sive to the inhabitants of that town; dangerous 
to the liberties of the British Colonies; and, 
therefore, that we consider our brethren at 
Boston as suffering in the common cause of 
these Colonies. 

"9. That there is an absolute necessity that 
a Congress of deputies from the several Colonies 
be immediately assembled, to consult together 
and form a general plan of conduct to be 
observed by all the Colonies, for the purpose of 
procuring relief for our suffering brethren, obtain- 
ing redress of our grievances, preventing future 
dissensions, firmly establishing our rights, and 
restoring harmony between Great Britain and 
her Colonies on a Constitutional foundation. 

•I* •!* »t" »t* 5{C SfC iff 

"14. That the people of this province will 
break, off all trade, commerce and dealing, and 



XIV THOMAS WILLING 

will have no trade, commerce or dealing of any 
kind with any colony on this continent, or with 
any city or town in such colony, or with any 
individual in any such colony, city or town 
which shall refuse, decline or neglect to adopt 
and carry into execution such general plan as 
shall be agreed to in Congress." 

After the passage of these resolutions, a 
committee of the Provincial Congress went to 
the Pennsylvania Assembly, then in session in 
the State House on Chestnut Street above 
Fifth Street, to urge the Assembly to appoint 
delegates to the proposed Continental Congress. 
The next day the Provincial Assembly named as 
delegates to represent Pennsylvania in the "first 
named American Congress, "^^ Joseph Galloway, 
the speaker of the Assembly, Samuel Rhoads, 
Thomas Mifflin, Charles Humphreys, John Mor- 
ton, George Ross and Edward Biddle.^^ 

While not a member of the first Continental 
Congress, Thomas Willing was in confidential 

^^ Carpenter's Hall Historical Association, published by the Com- 
pany, Philadelphia, 1876, page 19. An Historical account of the Old 
State House of Pennsylvania, now known as the Hall of Independence , 
Boston, 1876, by Frank M. Etting. 

^' Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Prov- 
ince of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1776, Vol. VL, page 520. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XV 

touch and saw a great deal of most of the 
men who were, and entertained many of them 
at his house at the south west corner of South 
Third Street and WilHng's Alley. Writing of 
a dinner party at WilHng's at which were 
present Washington, John Jay, Philip Livingston, 
Patrick Henry, Peyton Randolph, William Paca 
and Samuel Chase — John Adams in his diary 
says : 

"Sunday, it October, 1774. 

"There is such a quick and constant suc- 
cession of new scenes, characters, persons and 
events turning up before me, that I can't keep 
any regular account. * * * Dined at M^ 
WilHng's, who is Judge of the Supreme Court 
here, and the gentlemen from Virginia, Mary- 
land and New York, a most splendid feast 
again, turtle and everything else. M^ Willing 
is the most sociable, agreeable man of all." 

In 1775, Thomas Willing was elected by the 
Pennsylvania Assembly one of the delegates of 
the colony to the Second Continental Congress, 
which met on the loth of May, 1775, in the 
Pennsylvania State House. His co-delegates 
were John Dickinson, Robert Morris, James 
Wilson, Charles Humphreys, Edward Biddle, 



XVI THOMAS WILLING 

Andrew Allen, Benjamin Franklin, and John 
Morton.'^ 

In the course of 1775 he made a live and 
practical contribution to the development of 
settling controversies between the colonies or 
States by judicial means. In that year the 
Pennsylvania-Connecticut dispute over the posses- 
sion of the Wyoming Valley came up before 
the Continental Congress. Before the Revolu- 
tion, according to the practice that had developed 
in colonial times, the question had been appealed 
to the King in Council for a judicial judgment. 
But a decision had not been rendered. In 1775 
the Pennsylvania Assembly appealed the question 
to the Congress. John Rutledge of South 
Carolina said it should be referred to two 
commissioners, one to be appointed respectively 
by each colony. Thereupon, Thomas Willing of 
the Pennsylvania delegation and a justice of the 
Supreme Court of that province, pointed out 
that to insure a decision it would be necessary to 
appoint a third commissioner or umpire. ^^ That 

^* Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Province 
of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1776, Vol. VI., pages 555, 586 and 587. 

'^ Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1780, Worthington 
Chauncey Ford, editor: Washington, 1908, Volume III., page 487. — 
Thomas Willing Balch: A World Court in the Light of the United 
States Supreme Court; Philadelphia, 1918, pages 14-29. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XVII 

practical comment was one of the factors that 
resulted in the provision in the articles of Con- 
federation (1782) creating the setting up of 
Inter-State Tribunals ad hoc to judge between 
the member States of the Confederation. And 
it was such an ad hoc Court, the Trenton 
Tribunal, that judged between Pennsylvania 
and Connecticut and finally decided by a 
judicial decision the Wyoming controversy be- 
tween them. 

The war between the North American Colonies 
and Great Britain was begun to defend the 
political rights of the colonies, but without any 
idea of finally severing the political ties that 
bound the colonies to the motherland. Thus the 
First Continental Congress in October, 1774, 
used these words in its address to George the 
Third: "Your royal authority over us, and our 
connection with Great Britain, we shall always 
carefully and zealously endeavor to support and 
maintain. "^^ And the Second Continental Con- 
gress, in its address of the 6th of July, 1775, 
in which it stated the causes and reasons why 
the Colonies took up arms, said: "Lest this 

^^ Journal of the Continental Congress, 17 74-1 789, Worthington 
Chauncey Ford, editor, Washington, 1904, Volume I., page 119, 



XVIII THOMAS WILLING 

declaration should disquiet the minds of our 
friends and fellow-subjects in any part of the 
Empire, we assure them that we mean not to 
dissolve that union which has so long and so 
happily subsisted between us, and which we 
sincerely wish to see restored. "^^ It was Thomas 
Jefferson who wrote this public document, and 
it was received with marks of approval through- 
out the Colonies. 

On the 8th of September, 1775, the Provincial 
Congress of North Carolina disclaimed most 
earnestly any idea of seeking to bring about 
independence of Great Britain. ^^ 

The Pennsylvania Assembly gave, on the 9th 
of November, 1775, the following instructions to 
the delegates it had elected to the Second 
Continental Congress:^® 

"Gentlemen: The trust reposed in you is of 

" Journal of the Continental Congress, 17 74-1 789, Worthington 
Chatmcey Ford, editor, Washington, 1905, Volume IL, page 155. 

^^ Francois-Xavier Martin: History of North Carolina, New Orleans, 
1829, Volvime IL, pages 366-368. John H. Wheeler, Historical 
Sketches of North Carolina, Philadelphia, 1851, Volume L, page 74. 

^^ Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Prov- 
ince of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1776, Volume VL, page 647. 
These instructions were drafted by John Dickinson. See Charles 
J. Stills, LL.D.: The Life and Times of John Dickinson, Philadel- 
phia, 1891, page 165. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XIX 

such a Nature, and the Modes of executing it 
may be so diversified in the Course of your 
Deliberations, that it is scarcely possible to 
give you particular Instructions respecting it. 

We therefore, in general, direct that you, or 
any Four of you, meet in Congress the Dele- 
gates of the several Colonies now assembled in 
this City, and any such Delegates as may meet 
in Congress next Year; that you consult to- 
gether on the present critical and alarming 
State of public Affairs; that you exert your 
utmost Endeavours to agree upon, and recom- 
mend, such Measures as you shall judge to 
afford the best Prospect of obtaining Redress of 
American Grievances, and restoring that Union 
and Harmony between Great Britain and the 
Colonies so essential to the Welfare and Happi- 
ness of both Countries. 

"Though the oppressive Measures of the 
British Parliament and Administration have com- 
pelled us to resist their Violence by Force of 
Arms, yet we strictly enjoin you, that you, in 
Behalf of this Colony, dissent from, and utterly 
reject, any Propositions, should such be made, 
that may cause, or lead to, a Separation from 
our Mother Country, or a Change of the Form 



XX THOMAS WILLING 

of this Government [that is the Charter Govern- 
ment of Pennsylvania]. 

"You are directed to make Report of your 
Proceedings to this House. 

"Signed by order of the House: 

^'November 9, 1775. JOHN MORTON, 

Speaker.'" 

Thus the delegates of Pennsylvania in the 
Second Continental Congress were bound by 
those instructions of the Assembly of the Prov- 
ince — which were much more explicitly and 
positively expressed against independence than 
the instructions given to the delegates to the 
First Continental Congress^'' — not to vote for 
independence of Great Britain. 

On the 28th of November the Assembly of 
New Jersey likewise bound the delegates of that 
colony to resist any attempt to bring on inde- 
pendence.^^ The instructions to the New Jersey 
delegates were as follows: 

"i. Resolved, That reports of Independency, 

^° Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Province 
of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, 1776, volume VI, page 587. 

^^ Minutes of the Provincial Congress and the Council of Safety of 
the State of New Jersey, Trenton, 1879, page 300. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXI 

in the apprehension of this House, are ground- 
less. 

"2. Resolved, That it be recommended to the 
Delegates of the Colony to use their utmost 
endeavours for the obtaining a redress of Ameri- 
can grievances and for restoring the union 
between the Colonies and Great Britain, upon 
constitutional principles. 

"3. Resolved, That the said Delegates be 
directed not to give their assent to, but utterly 
to reject any proposition, if such should be made 
that they may separate this Colony from the 
Mother Country, or change the form of Govern- 
ment thereof." 

On the 14th of December the Provincial 
Congress of New York said that the people of 
New York were still loyal to the Crown and the 
state of unrest and turmoil in New York was 
not a result of "a desire to become independent 
of the British Crown. "'^ Qn the 25th of 
December, Portsmouth in the colony of New 
Hampshire, instructed its delegates to the Pro- 
vincial Congress of New Hampshire to oppose 
any attempt to form a local government, for fear 

22 ^g^ York Journal or the General Advertiser, December 21, 177s, 
No. 1720, page 3. 



XXII THOMAS WILLING 

it might be inferred that "we are aiming at 
independence, which we totally disallow. "^^ On 
the 1 2th of January, 1776, the Maryland Con- 
vention instructed the Maryland delegates to the 
Continental Congress to oppose any move toward 
independence until the delegation had convened 
and consulted the Convention.^* The Convention 
in its instructions to the delegates to the Con- 
tinental Congress said: 

"The experience we and our ancestors have 
had of the mildness and equity of the English 
Constitution, under which we have grown up to 
and enjoyed a state of felicity, not exceeded 
among any people we know of, until the grounds 
of the present controversy were laid by the min- 
istry and parliament of Great Britain, has most 
strongly endeared to us that form of government 
from whence these blessings have been derived, and 
makes us ardently wish for a reconciliation with 
the mother country, upon terms that may insure 

to these colonies an equal and permanent freedom. 
******* 

^^ John H. Hazelton: The Declaration of Independence, New York, 
1906, page 13. 

^* Proceedings of the Convention of the Province of Maryland held 
at the City of Annapolis in 1774, 1775 and 1776: Baltimore and 
Annapolis, 1836, pages 82-83. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXIII 

"We further instruct you, that you do not 
without the previous knowledge and approbation 
of the Convention of this province, assent to any 
proposition to declare these colonies independent 
of the crown of Great Britain, nor to any 
proposition for making or entering into alliance 
with any foreign power, nor to any union or 
confederation of these colonies." 

Likewise as late as the 29th of November, 
1775, the Continental Congress, which represented 
all the Colonies, said in a letter to the agents of 
the Colonies in England that "There is nothing 
more ardently desired by North America than a 
lasting union with Great Britain on terms of just 
and equal liberty. "^^ 

The growth of the movement for independence 
was a gradual one.^^ In the beginning, shortly 
after the annexation of Canada in 1763 to the 
possessions of the British Crown had removed 
the chief source of outside danger to the British 

^^ Journal of the Continental Congress, I774-I78g, Worthington 
Chauncey Ford, editor: Washington, 1905, Volume III, page 
991. 

^ The Examination of Joseph Galloway, Esq., by a Committee of 
the House of Commons, edited by Thomas Balch, Philadelphia, 1855, 
passim. Edward McCrady: South Carolina in the Revolution, 1775- 
1780; New York, 1901, pages 166-176. 



XXIV THOMAS WILLING 

Empire in North America, thereby allowing 
rivalry and strained relations between Great 
Britain and her colonies to appear and gradually 
year by year become more bitter, the leading 
men and practically all of the people in the 
colonies were still in favor of the attachment with 
Great Britain. The friendly feelings of the 
colonists for the motherland, however, were at 
first outraged and then gradually in the course of 
years by degrees practically obliterated by a long 
series of ill-considered and selfish legislation on 
the part of Great Britain. The most obnoxious 
of these acts were the Stamp Act, the levy on 
tea and the enforcement of the Navigation Acts. 
The Stamp Act meant in fact for the colonists 
taxation without representation. And as the levy 
on tea was to be used to pay the salaries of the 
representatives of the crown in the colonies, those 
officials would as a result be placed beyond the 
control of the colonial legislative bodies. By the 
Navigation Act of 1663, the colonists were 
prohibited from trading directly with foreign 
ports. The trade with foreign countries could 
only be carried on from English ports. But the 
colonists disregarded this restriction and shipped 
cargoes directly to foreign ports and brought 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXV 

back European products in their own vessels. ^' 
Consequently, as event after event followed one 
another, owing partly to the stupidity and partly 
to the selfishness of the men who ruled England, 
the movement for American independence, fanned 
by ambitious agitators who were practically at the 
bottom of the social ladder and consequently had 
everything to gain from any sort of a change and 
little or nothing to lose, suddenly began in 1776 
to forge ahead. As a result, as happens often 
now-a-days about other momentous questions, one 
important politician after another, in spite of 
himself, was reasoned into favoring the idea of 
cutting the bonds that united the thirteen col- 
onies with the motherland. In that way the 
delegation of colony after colony was won over 
in favor of independence. 

The most important and vital opposition to a 
final and absolute break with Great Britain was 
in Pennsylvania. On account of her wealth and 
geographical position, the keystone in the arch of 
the colonies, Pennsylvania was easily the most 
influential of the thirteen colonies. ^^ And her 

^^ Sydney George Fisher: The Struggle for American Independence: 
Philadelphia, 1908, Volxime I., pages 39-40, 

^^ Edmund Burke's Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies, March 
22, 1775. Works, Dublin, 1793, Volume II., page 34. 



XXVI THOMAS WILLING 

favorable action was most necessary to the move- 
ment for independence. 

Virginia and Massachusetts, the two colonies 
most anxious for independence of the British 
Crown, had much to complain of specifically of 
Great Britain. Pennsylvania, on the contrary, 
had probably less cause for dissatisfaction with 
the British Government than any of the thirteen 
provinces. Her government was proprietary. 
All classes of the people of Pennsylvania honored 
the name of William Penn. His sons and grand- 
sons were the governors of the province. As 
compared with some of the other colonial gover- 
nors they had been liberal governors. Under the 
charter granted to the colony by Penn in 1701, 
with its supporting statutes enacted into laws in 
the succeeding years, the people of Pennsylvania 
had won a degree of independence unknown in 
most, perhaps in all of the other twelve col- 
onies. In fact, the fight for constitutional free- 
dom in Pennsylvania had been won in the 
main, when the struggle for American independ- 
ence began. ^^ 

"Pennsylvania," when the Revolution began, 

^® Burton Alva Konkle: George Bryan and the Constitution of Penn- 
sylvania, I73i-i7gi\ Philadelphia, 1922. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXVII 

Dr. Stille writes,^° "was then governed, as is well 
known, by a charter which had been granted by 
William Penn in the year 1701. The New England 
theory was, so far as it applied to Pennsylvania 
(but not to their own Connecticut and Rhode 
Island, where there were royal charters to which 
the same objection might have been made as 
was made to the Proprietary charter of Pennsyl- 
vania), that there could be no independence of 
Great Britain, while the Proprietary government 
of this Province remained in force. Hence to 
achieve national independence it became necessary 
to destroy that charter of William Penn which 
had become dear to the people of this Province, 
and under which it had reached a degree of 
material prosperity far greater than that of any 
other Colony. This is perhaps the reason why 
the people of Pennsylvania did not seize upon the 
prospect of independence with as much alacrity 
as the people of some of the other Colonies." 

In order to force the hand of Pennsylvania, 
there was brought before the whole house of 
Congress, "in concert between" John Adams of 
Massachusetts and Richard Henry Lee of Vir- 

'" Charles J. Stills, LL.D.: The Life and Times of John Dickinson, 
1732-1808; Philadelphia, 1891, pages 169-170. 



XXVIII THOMAS WILLING 

ginia,'^ on the loth of May, 1776, the following 
resolution, which was aimed especially to overturn 
the Proprietary government of Pennsylvania, and 
was voted by Congress with that purpose: 

"Resolved, that it be recommended to the 
respective Assemblies and Conventions of the 
United Colonies, where no Government sufficient 
to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto 
established, to adopt such Government as shall, 
in the opinion of the Representatives of the 
People, best conduce to the happiness and safety 
of their Constituents in particular, and America 
in general. "^^ 

James Allen, the third son of Chief Justice 
Allen, was elected on the first of May, 1776, 
a representative from Northampton County to 
the Pennsylvania Assembly, by 853 votes to 14. 
Concerning the resolve of Congress of the lOth 
of May, he makes the following comment on 
the 15th: "Yesterday the Resolve of Congress 
was read by Bradford at the Coffee-House. One 
man only huzzaed; in general it was ill received. 
We stared at each other * * * Moderate men 
look blank and yet the Majority of the City 

^^ John Adams, Works, Boston, 1851, Volume IIL, page 44. 
^^ The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 22, 1776. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXIX 

and province are of that stamp; as is evident 
from the Election of new members." ^^ 

When, however, it appeared from the representa- 
tions of John Dickinson and other Pennsylvanians, 
that Pennsylvania already had a government 
controlled by the representatives elected by the 
people of the Province, John Adams, "our self- 
constituted Mentor," as Dr. Stille^* justly described 
him in the circumstances, persuaded the Congress 
on the 15th of May to pass a preamble, as 
follows : 

"Whereas, his Britannic Majesty, in conjunc- 
tion with the lords and commons of Great 
Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, 
excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies 
from the protection of his crown; And whereas, 
no answer, whatever, to the humble petitions of 
the colonies for redress of grievances and recon- 
ciliation with Great Britain, has been or is 
likely to be given; but, the whole force of that 
Kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be 
exerted for the destruction of the good people of 

'' Diary aj James Allen: The Pennsylvania Magazine, Philadel. 
phia, 1885, Voltime IX, pp. 186-7. 

^* Charles J. Stille, LL.D,: The Life and Times of John Dickinson, 
1732-1808, Philadelphia, 1891, pages 178-179. 



XXX THOMAS WILLING 

these colonies; And whereas, it appears absolutely 
irreconcilable to reason and good Conscience, for 
the people of these colonies now to take the 
oaths and affirmations necessary for the support 
of any government under the crown of Great 
Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise of 
every kind of authority under the said crown 
should be totally suppressed, and all the powers 
of government exerted, under the authority of 
the people of the colonies, for the preservation of 
internal peace, virtue, liberties, and properties, 
against the hostile invasions and cruel depre- 
dations of their enemies; therefore, resolved," 
etc.^^ 

Of course the Congress had no legal power to 
control the government of Pennsylvania, nor to 
direct the Pennsylvanians when and how to 
change their form of government in order to 
make plain sailing for those colonies that were 
anxious to break all political ties with Great 
Britain. There was at that time no United 
States of America, not even a Confederation of 
the several provinces. The thirteen colonies had 
all sent delegates to the Congress. But each 
colony was acting strictly upon its own authority 



I 



35 



The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 22, 1776. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXXI 

without having agreed by any plan or scheme 
whatsoever, to be bound by a vote of the other 
colonies. Each province was free to act upon 
its own initiative. 

On the 20th of May, a meeting of citizens 
who were in favor of a complete break with 
Great Britain, was held in State House Yard.^^ 
The meeting approved the Resolve of Congress 
of the loth and the 15th of May, opposed the in- 
structions given by the House of Assembly to the 
delegates of Pennsylvania not to vote for inde- 
pendence, and further voted in favor of calling a 
Convention of the Province to carry out the 
resolve of Congress of the loth and the 15th of 
May to revise the government of Pennsylvania 
so that it would conform more with the views 
entertained by the leaders of Massachusetts and 
Virginia. 

A few days later, at a meeting of inhabitants 
of Philadelphia, a remonstrance was sent to the 
House of Assembly in opposition to the "Protest" 
of the 20th of May meeting.^^ The proponents 
of the existing government of Pennsylvania 
maintained that while some colonies were at the 

^® The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 22, 1776. 
^' The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 22, 1776. 



XXXil THOMAS WILLING 

mercy of arbitrary royal Governors who pre- 
vented the representatives of the people from 
legislating, Pennsylvania on the contrary was 
governed by an Assembly representative of her 
people. "We remonstrate," they went on to 
say, "against the said Protest, as setting on foot 
a measure which tends to disunion and must 
damp the zeal of multitudes of the good people 
of Pennsylvania in the common cause, who, 
having a high veneration for their civil and 
religious rights, as secured by our charter, never 
conceived, when they engaged, among other 
things, for the support of the charter rights of 
another colony, that they would be called upon 
to make a sacrifice of their own charter.'' Then 
the supporters of the Charter of 1701 and the As- 
sembly of Pennsylvania went on to point out that 
there was nothing in the existing situation of the 
affairs of Pennsylvania that demanded her people 
to sacrifice their charter, while other colonies — 
such as Rhode Island and Connecticut who were 
likewise governed by Assemblies whose legal 
authority was granted by their charter as truly 
as the legal authority of the Assembly of 
Pennsylvania was derived by the charter of the 
Province — were allowed to continue to live imder 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXXIII 

their ancient form of government without con- 
ventions being invoked to destroy ahke their 
charters and their representative Assemblies. 
The remonstrance concluded by indicating that 
whatever changes might be necessary to the 
proper continuance of the government of Pennsyl- 
vania in the existing state of affairs, "that 
authority is fully vested in our Representatives 
in Assembly freely and annually chosen." 

It is reasonable to presume that Thomas 
Willing, as well as John Dickinson and Robert 
Morris, had a hand in organizing this meeting 
in defense of the Pennsylvania charter of 1701. 

On the 7th of June, Richard Henry Lee intro- 
duced in the Congress his motion for indepen- 
dence. The same day the Committee on Instruc- 
tions of the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania 
reported to that body a new set of instructions 
for Pennsylvania's delegates in Congress. And 
on the 8th of June, "The House resumed the 
consideration of the Instructions to the Delegates 
of this Province in Congress, which being gone 
through and approved of, were ordered to be 
transcribed."^* These new instructions as drawn 

^^ Proceedings of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, 
Philadelphia, 1776, Volume VI., page 738. 



XXXIV THOMAS WILLING 

rescinded the former instructions of the 9th of 
November, 1775, to the Pennsylvania delegation 
to oppose independence, and left the delegates 
free to vote for independence. On the 14th of 
June, with only thirty-five members and the speaker 
present, less than a quorum of the house, 
the new instructions, having been "transcribed 
according to Order, were signed by the Speaker. "^^ 
Richard Henry Lee's resolution for independence 
was taken up on the ist of July, in the Com- 
mittee of the Whole. Pennsylvania voted in the 
negative. Of her delegation, Thomas Willing, 

^^ Proceedings of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, 
Philadelphia, 1776, VolvimeVL, pages 739-740. Charles J. Still6,LL.D.: 
The Life and Times of John Dickinson, 1731-1808, Philadelphia, 
1891, Volume L, pages 188-189. Dr. Stills says: "The new instruc- 
tions were approved by the Assembly on June 8, and laid aside in 
order to be transcribed for their final passage on the 14th of June. 
When that day arrived, it appeared that there was not a quorum 
of members, the rules requiring that two-thirds of the whole number 
should be present for the transaction of business. On the 14th of 
June the Assembly (thirty-six members being present) passed as 
the true representatives of the people of Pennsylvania the following 
resolution, fitting expression of their true patriotism: 'Resolved, 
by the members of Assembly now present, that they are earnestly 
desirous of carrying into effect the resolutions of Congress of the 
ist instant (in regard to raising the quota of troops required from 
this State), but there is no quorum, and therefore we cannot pro- 
ceed.' The Whigs in the Assembly, by a secret understanding, had 
withdrawn after the 8th of June, and never again took their seats 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXXV 

Robert Morris, John Dickinson and Charles 
Humphreys voted against the motion to report 
the Lee resolution. James Wilson, Benjamin 
Franklin and John Morton voted for the motion, 
while Edward Biddle and Andrew Allen were 
absent from the Congress.'^ South Carolina also 
voted against the motion.^^ Delaware's vote was 
a tie. And New York did not vote. But the 
other provinces voted to report the Lee resolution, 
and so by a majority vote of the provinces, the 
motion to report was carried. The next day, the 
second of July, the Lee resolution was voted on. 

in that body, so that no quorum could be had for its organization. 
They took this course either because they regarded the Assembly 
as without any legal power since the vote of Congress of May 10-15, 
1776; or because the Assembly had by the new instructions protested 
against any attempt to change the home government; or because 
they felt that if by their withdrawal they could for a short time 
paralyze the action of the Assembly, the progress of the Revolution 
would do the rest. At any rate, thus fell the Provincial Assembly, 
keeping up its shadowy existence until the close of August, 1776, 
a quorum for business being at no time present. Its fall raises many 
interesting questions,— among others, where and in whom was vested 
the legal authority when the assent of Pennsylvania was supposed 
to have been given to the Declaration of Independence on the 4th 
of July, 1776." 

*" Herbert Friedenwald: The Declaration of Independence-. New 
York, 1904, pages 128-129. 

John H. Hazelton: The Declaration of Independence; its 
History: New York, 1906, pages 163, 198. 



XXXVI THOMAS WILLING 

Of the Pennsylvania delegation, Messrs. Dickinson 
and Morris, being absent either purposely or by 
chance, and the other delegates casting their votes 
as on the previous day, Pennsylvania's vote along 
with that of Delaware and all the other colonies — 
except that of New York, whose delegation 
abstained from voting — was cast in favor of 
independence.^^ Two days later, on the 4th of 
July, the formal paper prepared by the committee 
headed by Jefferson was adopted. 

Thus Pennsylvania's vote, on this momentous 
issue, was given not by a majority of her 
delegates, but merely by a majority of her 
delegates present. Or in other words, Pennsyl- 
vania's vote for independence was cast by a 
voting majority composed only of one-third of 
her elected representatives. 

Thomas Willing — who had been bred to the 
Law in the Inner Temple in London, had sat 
since 1767 as a Justice of the Supreme Court of 
the Province, and was the head of the leading 
mercantile firm, not merely of the city and the 
Province, but also in all the colonies as well — 
was of the opinion, as he states in his auto- 

*^ Sydney George Fisher : The Struggle for A merican Independence, 
Philadelphia, 1908, Volume I., page 459. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXXVII 

biography, that the instructions of the Provincial 
Assembly of the 9th of November, 1775, had not 
been properly rescinded. In his autobiography, 
after mentioning that he "was present when the 
vote of Independence was passed in Congress 
in 1776," he goes on to say: "I voted against 
this Declaration in Congress, not only because 
I thought America at that time unequal to such 
a conflict as must ensue (having neither Arms, 
Ammunition or Military Experience), but chiefly 
because the Delegates of Pennsylvania were not 
then authorized by their instructions from the 
Assembly, or the voice of the People at large 
to join in such a vote." His partner, Robert 
Morris, on the 20th of July, 1776, in a letter to 
Colonel Joseph Reed, thus expressed himself con- 
cerning the rupture with Great Britain.*^ **I am 
not for making any sacrifice of dignity, but still 
I would hear them [the British Commissioners] if 
possible; because, if they can offer peace on 
admissible terms, I believe the great majority of 
America would still be for accepting it." Further 
on in the same letter, Morris said: "I have 
uniformly voted against and opposed the Declara- 

^* Peter Force: American Archives, Fifth Series, Washington, 
1848, Volume L, page 468. 



XXXVIII THOMAS WILLING 

tion of Independence, because in my poor opinion, 
it was an improper time, and will neither promote 
the interest nor redound to the honour of America; 
for it has caused division when we wanted union, 
and will be ascribed to very different principles 
than those which ought to give rise to such an 
important measure." 

There were other associations besides Willing's 
training in the Law, first in the Inner Temple in 
London and afterwards on the Bench in his 
homeland, that strengthened him in his reluctance 
to break finally and irrevocably with Great Britain. 
During his whole past career, Thomas Willing 
had defended Penn's Charter of 1701, which, with 
its supporting statutes, was the palladium of the 
liberties of Pennsylvania. And now at the call 
of other colonies led by John Adams of Massa- 
chusetts — who naturally thought first of all of the 
interests of his own Massachusetts and not of 
those of Pennsylvania — that much prized charter 
of Pennsylvania was to be destroyed. Also with 
his family, Thomas Willing was associated with 
Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, and so with 
the established Church of England which had 
retained its orders of archbishops and bishops. 
The American colonies had been settled largely 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XXXIX 

by the Protestant Churches of Great Britain and 
the continent who had rejected the order of 
bishops. The Reformed Churches who drew 
their poUty from Geneva were naturally inclined 
towards Republicanism. And though the estab- 
lished Church of England of the eighteenth 
century was different in many ways from the 
Protestant Episcopal church of to-day, in that 
then its clergy all wore the Geneva or scholar's 
gown and that it did not try to deny having 
received a large part of its religious inspiration 
by the way of Geneva, still it was naturally 
more conservative in its associations with the 
motherland than the Reformed Churches were. 
The latter had been trampled upon by the 
government of England and their adherents 
forced to leave the old country to seek new 
homes in America. Naturally they were ready to 
rebel against the government that had oppressed 
them.*'' So Thomas Willing was impelled by his 
legal training, by his associations, both in- 
herited and personal, with the Penns, and by 
his religious affiliations to look with anxiety 

** Thomas Balch : Les Frangais en Atnerique pendant la Guerre de 
VIndependance des Etats-Unis, 1777-178 3, Paris and Philadelphia, 
1872. 



XL THOMAS WILLING 

upon a final break with Great Britain. To 
a man with his high sense of honor, loyalty 
and integrity — who believed firmly in the Magna 
Charta of the people of Pennsylvania, the charter 
of 1 70 1 — such influences naturally would count 
far more than if he had been at the bottom 
instead of at the top of the social ladder. So to 
his credit, he voted fearlessly and loyally until 
the end, and Humphreys along with him, in 
accordance with the instructions which the Assem- 
bly of Pennsylvania had given to her delegates in 
Congress. 

Then a convention of possibly about a hundred 
people met without legal authority under the 
Government of Pennsylvania, but under the 
moral sanction of the Congress, led by Massa- 
chusetts and Virginia. This Convention, which in 
reality was merely a rump meeting, proceeded to 
elect on the 20th of July a new delegation to the 
Congress.''^ It re-appointed Wilson, Franklin, Mor- 
ton, and Morris, and five new members, some of 

*^ Charles J. Stille: The Life and Times of John Dickinson, 1732- 
1808; Philadelphia, 1891, Volume I, page 189. John H. Hazelton, 
The Declaration of Independence, its History: New York, 1906, pages 
190, 192. 

Journal of the Continental Congress, 17 74-1 789, Worthington 
Chauncey Ford, editor: Washington, D. C, 1906, page 596. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XLI 

them of its own number, George Ross, Benjamin 
Rush, James Smith, George Clymer, and George 
Taylor. These nine delegates, a majority of whom 
were not members of the Congress when that body 
voted in favor of independence, signed the Dec- 
laration*^ subsequently in August. 

As the capitalist and head of the famous firm, 
first known as Willing, Morris and Company, 
then as Willing, Morris and Inglis, and after- 
wards as Willing, Morris and Swanwick, Thomas 
Willing was long and closely associated with 
Robert Morris. In the trying times of the 
Revolution each of the two men knew intimately, 
as their letters show, the thoughts and policy of 
the other and acted in close unison in aiding to 
steer, during the days of stress and storm of 
war, the united colonies into a haven of safety 
at its close. And though Robert Morris signed 
the Declaration against which he had voted in 
the first instance, and had not actually voted for 
it in the second instance but merely absented 
himself, nevertheless, with Thomas Willing, the 
senior member as well as the capitalist of the 
firm, he continued on the most friendly and 

*® John H. Hazelton: The Declaration of Independence, its History: 
New York, 1906, page 193 et seq. 



XLII THOMAS WILLING 

intimate terms. As the financial official of the 
united colonies in the struggle with Great 
Britain from 1780 on, Robert Morris had the 
prestige of the firm of Willing and Morris, the 
most important and powerful commercial firm in 
Philadelphia, the metropolis of the thirteen 
colonies, at his back. The firm traded with 
Europe and the West Indies. Its vessels sailed 
on a large part of the seven seas. And the 
large property and still larger credit of Thomas 
Willing stood back of the firm. 

Not merely in hastily written articles in the 
newspapers of to-day, but even also in many 
reputable historical works this firm is erroneously 
mentioned as "Morris, Willing & Company." 
There was no such firm. There are many letters 
written and signed by Robert Morris in his own 
hand, "Willing, Morris & Company." It is 
natural to suppose that he knew the correct 
name of the firm. And likewise there are letters 
written and signed by Thomas Willing in the 
same way. From time to time as the member- 
ship of the firm of which Thomas Willing was 
the head changed, the name of the firm also 
changed. For a number of years the title of 
the firm was Willing, Morris and Inglis, and 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XLIII 

later on the name of the firm was WilHng, 
Morris and Swan wick. But during the forty 
years or so that Thomas WilHng and Robert 
Morris were associated together as partners in 
business, the name of Willing always headed the 
title of the firm. 

It was chiefly upon the credit and prestige of 
that firm that Morris relied until the Bank of 
North America was established. And of that 
firm Willing was the head and financial brains. 
For example, in a letter that Willing wrote 
from Philadelphia to Morris on the 12*'' of 
February, 1778, the following passage shows that 
Willing had a more practical and sound financial 
judgment than his junior partner, who in this 
instance at least was rather happy go lucky as a 
financier and devoid of vision. Willing writes to 
Morris:'^ "Feb^ 12*. Two days ago I was 
call'd upon by T. Coxe w^ a draft of T. Tilgh- 
man's in fav"" of M''. Francis dated i'* Aug"* 
1776 on W. M.& Co. to pay her what Money she 
may want out of the Effects of F. Tilghman 
under y'^ Care — I told him I knew nothing ab* 
those affairs, had never any thing to do with 
them, & had it not in my power to pay any- 



47 



See post page 66. 



XLIV THOMAS WILLING 

thing — that I suppos'd you had taken away their 
books, etc. w*" y"" own, and wou'd pay or settle 
w*' M". Tilghman, & pay him the kind of 
money you had received for him in his absence — 
this shows you the necessity of settHng such 
matters as soon as you can, or else such demands 
will be made on me to be paid in hard money 
continually — this will be the Case in Wilson's & 
Gibb's affair perhaps." 

Not the least of the assets of the firm was the 
high social prestige of its senior member and 
head. Not only a great merchant himself in 
succession to his father, who had been a leading 
merchant and citizen of Philadelphia before him, 
as the latter' s father had achieved commercial 
success in the sea faring port of Bristol, England 
— and the Bristol of the first half of the eight- 
eenth century was a much more important 
commercial port of Great Britain relatively than 
the Bristol of the early twentieth century — 
Thomas Willing, owing to his connection, through 
his mother, with the historic family of Shippen, 
had a credit that appealed to the landed, 
moneyed and mercantile world of those times. 
In the provincial history of Pennsylvania, almost 
from the first landing of Penn down to the 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XLV 

outbreak of the Revolution, the Shippen family 
played a commanding part. Through Edward 
Shippen, the emigrant of that name, Edward 
Shippen "of Lancaster," Colonel Joseph Shippen 
and others, for four generations it helped to 
govern Pennsylvania. No other family in Penn- 
sylvania came anywhere near equalling the 
Shippens in the length of long continued and 
substantial services rendered in high official 
positions to the Province and the State. 

By inheritance through his mother, Thomas 
Willing possessed that great prestige of the 
Shippens. He understood and could talk the 
language of people who possessed traditions that 
ran back for several generations, a language all 
their own. Thus it was naturally impressed upon 
him in countless ways from early youth that he 
was merely a link in a chain. So instinctively 
he looked upon events as they took their root 
far back in the past, and thereby acquired a 
vision for the distant future denied to the self 
made man who naturally looks merely at the 
moment or the span of his own life time. 

How much the commercial power and credit of 
the firm of Willing and Morris meant in support 
of Robert Morris in the post of financial officer 



XLVI THOMAS WILLING 

of the American cause, is attested by some letters 
that WilHng wrote to Morris in the autumn of 
1777 showing that in the previous year the credit 
of the firm had been attacked in England by 
rumors and innuendoes, which found their way 
to New York, then in the hands of the British, 
evidently with the view of undermining the credit 
of the firm to the detriment of the American 
cause .*^ 

During the occupation of Philadelphia in 1777 
and 1778 by General Howe, Thomas Willing 
remained in the city. When Howe sent a person 
to administer to Willing the oath of allegiance to 
King George the Third, Willing refused to take 
it/^ And while the British possession of the city 
lasted. Willing and his family, and he was the 
leading citizen of Philadelphia, took no part in 
the social entertainments of the British Officers. 
The families of other notables were actively 
interested in the famous Meschianza in which the 
chivalric but ill fated Major Andre took a 
leading part. The Willings who were fond of 

*^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters (Balch Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 

*® Horace Wemyss Smith : Life and Correspondence of the Rev. 
William Smith, D.D.: Philadelphia, 1880, Volume IL, page 511. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XLVII 

social amusements, however, remained severely 
aloof from the affair. 

While the British occupied Philadelphia, Thomas 
Willing received from General Howe the terms 
upon which the latter was ready and anxious 
to reestablish peace between America and Great 
Britain. Howe was prepared to recognize the status 
of affairs in which the colonies were in 1763. 
In addition, he was ready to grant them other 
privileges, among them to recognize the legality 
of the American paper money. Willing simply 
transmitted General Howe's terms to the Con- 
gress. He did not advise concerning them. 
He repeated them verbally to John Brown, whom 
he then sent to communicate them to his partner 
and friend, Robert Morris. The latter was a 
member of the Continental Congress and had left 
Philadelphia with that body at the approach of 
the British army. Morris, who was then at 
Manheim in Lancaster County, communicated 
Howe's terms to other members of the Congress. 
But they were never considered. 

By remaining in Philadelphia on speaking terms 
with General Howe during the British occupation 
of the city and managing to maintain and safe- 
guard the financial status and credit of the firm 



XLVIII THOMAS WILLING 

of Willing and Morris, Thomas Willing did a 
great, though not spectacular service to the 
American cause. For the credit of the firm of 
which Willing was the head gave to Morris much 
of his prestige when the latter was the financial 
officer of the colonies. 

When, a number of years after the war for 
independence had been fought and won, Robert 
Morris determined on embarking in vast land 
speculations in many places all over the United 
States — from which he expected fondly to gain a 
colossal fortune, but which ultimately, coupled 
with his lavish expenditures, resulted in his 
complete financial ruin — ^^ Thomas Willing, with 
a far better judgment of the financial realities 
of the times, insisted that their long and close 
business connection must close. In view of all 
these facts, it is only natural to suppose that 
Morris in his official capacity as national financial 
officer of the United Colonies, received and was 
steadied by the sound and practical financial 
advice of his partner. 

Though Thomas Willing, doubtless because he 
was the leading active representative of the 

^ William Graham Sumner: The Financier and the Finances of 
the American Revolution: New York, 1891, Volvime II. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. XLIX 

conservative and aristocratic party in the City 
and the State, and also on account of his vote 
against independence, was not re-elected to the 
Continental Congress in July, 1776, yet such was 
the esteem in which he was held, not only in 
Philadelphia but also through the country at 
large, that when the Bank of North America was 
chartered in 1781, he was chosen its first Presi- 
dent.^^ That office he continued to hold until he 
was taken from it in 1791 to be appointed Presi- 
dent of the First Bank of the United States. 
And when, in spite of the strong advocacy by the 
Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, 
Albert Gallatin, of the renewal of the charter of 
the bank, as a result of political opposition 
"its charter ceased and its affairs were wound 
up, it paid," in the words of H. W. Smith, "in 
gold, during the prevalence of a paper currency 
which placed gold at a high premium, $116 for 
each $100 of its capital. "^^ 

Willing's financial services to America, first as 
President of the Bank of North America (1781- 



^^ Lawrence Lewis, Jr.: A History of the Bank of North America, 
the first Bank chartered in America: Philadelphia, 1882, page 34. 

^^ Horace Wemyss Smith: Life and Correspondence of The Rev. 
William Smith, D.D., Philadelphia, 1880, Volume IL, page 513. 



L THOMAS WILLING 

1 791) and afterwards as President of the First 
Bank of the United States (1791-1811), are thus 
summed up by Burton Alva Konkle^^ in a memo- 
randum addressed to the present writer, the 
1 6th December, 1920: 

"In order to understand WilHng's career, one 

must recall that the financial history of the 

United States falls naturally into three periods: 

The present one, characterized by the Federal 

Reserve System, somewhat recently inaugurated; 

the one before that, known as the National 

Banks' system, extending back to Chase and the 

Civil War; and the final one extending back to 

the beginning of things financial during the 

Revolution. This one has a name almost the 

same as that of the second period — so nearly 

indeed that only the last letter need be dropped, 

leaving it to be called the National Bank system, 

in which a single central dominating bank, like 

those of European nations, controls national 

financial affairs. It will readily be seen that the 

head of such a bank would be the most powerful 

guide and regulator of American financial matters. 

^^ Mr. Konkle is the author of The Life and Times of Thomas 
Smith, i745-i8og; Philadelphia, 1904, and George Bryan, and the 
Constitution of Pennsylvania, lysi-iygi; Philadelphia, 1922. 



I 



OF PHILADELPHIA. LI 

If any one man should hold that unique place 
for the greater part of that period, he would 
himself come near to representing the head of its 
financial history for those years. That such a 
man did so, seems to have been overlooked by 
history. 

"Let us see how it happened: The fall of 
Charleston, in the spring of 1780, was due 
chiefly to the weak finances of the new repubhc; 
and it startled the capital and metropolis into a 
realization of it; whereupon their ablest states- 
man, James Wilson, together with the wealthy 
firm of Willing and Morris and others, created a 
private purchasing agency, into which patriots 
put their money, and it was given the title of 
the Bank of Pennsylvania. This institution 
purchased supplies for Washington's army and so 
turned the tide of battle that it revived con- 
fidence in the cause. James Wilson was probably 
the most learned economist in America, a student 
at Glasgow in the days of Adam Smith's rector- 
ship, and was familiar with the financial writings 
of such men as Sir James Steuart, and with the 
functions of the various national banks of Europe. 
About December i, of that year, when the 
Pennsylvania Assembly seemed bent on issuing 



LII THOMAS WILLING 

more paper money in face of an already fearfully 
depreciated State and Congressional paper, James 
Wilson wrote to his friends in that body, offering 
a much better plan, namely, to transform the 
Bank of Pennsylvania, which was a mere pur- 
chasing agency, into a national institution like the 
Bank of England, which could borrow and also 
provide an organ of regulation of finances. This 
plan was not accepted by the Pennsylvania 
Assembly, but was adopted by Congress in the 
early part of 1781, and Wilson, Willing and 
others persuaded Mr. Morris to accept the newly 
created office of Financier-General, or, as we now 
say. Secretary of the Treasury, and adopt this 
new plan as the financial system of the young 
republic. Mr. Morris agreed and, after the new 
institution was incorporated, with the title. The 
Bank of North America, many of the States 
ratified it by also incorporating it, which latter 
acts served to meet the questioning of some as to 
whether the Congress had incorporating powers. 
Thus the somewhat monarchical financial system of 
Europe was introduced into the new republic and, 
by the next autumn, the vigor which it injected 
into every department of the American union re- 
sulted in the surrender of the enemy at Yorktown. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. LIII 

"The man, whom Wilson, Morris and others 
put at its head to build, control and regulate it 
and so regulate the finances of America, was 
Judge Thomas Willing of Philadelphia— the only 
man I know who has ever been compared to 
Washington, and that, too, by no less a man 
than that other great Philadelphian and jurist, 
Horace Binney. You will observe that Wilson 
designed it. Willing created, constructed and 
managed it, and Morris accepted and used it, as 
Financier- General or Secretary of the Treasury. 
Mr. Morris, however, was Financier-General but 
a comparatively short time; but President Willing 
of The Bank of North America or national bank, 
was at the head of it for a whole decade 
following, or until the establishment of the new 
constitution of the United States, and its Gov- 
ernment at the capital and metropolis, Phila- 
delphia. Through it, he gave aid to Congress, 
to States, to counties and cities, as well as 
individuals, and contributed tremendously to 
uphold the hands of the new Nation. It was 
his wisdom, which was destined to give this 
bank so solid a basis, that it has existed to this 
day through all changes and is now the oldest 
bank in the Nation. 



LIV THOMAS WILLING 

"It weathered the period of reconstruction of 
the fundamental structure of the United States 
in the adoption of the constitution; and amidst 
all the fierce clash of theories and interests in 
that wonderful period, President Willing and 
the Bank became famous throughout the financial 
and political world. When there were attacks 
upon its National charter from political sources, a 
young lawyer in New York, who had been on 
General Washington's staff, suggested, in his care 
of a client stockholder, that a legal opinion be 
secured from Mr. Wilson; and when this same 
lawyer, Alexander Hamilton, was made Secretary 
of the Treasury, in the new government under 
President Washington, he took the bank system, 
which Mr. Wilson had designed, and submitted 
his plans to him, who had now come to the 
bench of the Supreme Court, just created by the 
new Constitution, as its most learned Justice; 
and when Mr. Justice Wilson approved, secured 
the system in the creation of the first Bank of 
the United States on lines modelled on the Bank 
of North America, which, for political reasons, it 
was unwise to use, but selected its President, 
Thomas Willing, to head and build the new 
National institution. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. LV 

"It was then that President WilHng moved his 
office to the new classical structure on Third 
Street. Not long after Secretary Hamilton 
resigned and returned to his private practice; 
not so President Willing, for Financiers-General 
and Secretaries of the Treasury might come and 
they might go, but he seemed destined to go on 
forever. For Hamilton died; Wilson died; 
Morris died; Washington's term ended and he 
died; indeed five administrations passed; and it 
was thirty years after President Willing began 
guiding national finances as head of the bank of 
a national system, before he ceased; and then 
only because the charter expired by limitation in 
1811, and Jeffersonians refused to re-charter it. 
The finances of the young republic were guided 
for its first three decades by the leadership of 
one man, and that man was Thomas Willing. 

"But that is not all. The venerable President 
of the Bank of the United States was eighty 
years old and in health and faculties when the 
charter expired in 181 1 and the War of 1812 was 
on the horizon. The Jeffersonians were able to 
create no better systems then, and, five years 
later, were compelled to re-charter the Bank of 
the United States, generally known as the 



LVI THOMAS WILLING 

Second Bank of the United States; and Thomas 
WilHng, then in retirement at the age of eighty- 
five, saw his life work, his "glory," as he once 
called his long service to his country, confirmed 
even by its enemies who had destroyed it. That 
long service in its excellence gave him the public 
title of 'The Old Regulator' of American 
finance. His system was still in vigorous 
operation, nearly a decade later, in 1821, when 
he died at the unusual age of eighty-nine years — 
within a decade of a century. And it continued 
on another decade and a half, when another 
Jeffersonian out of the west, the father of all 
Jacksonians, gave it its death blow, leaving no 
system at all until the Civil War caused the 
creation of a new order, that of the National 
Banks System." 

The Bank of the United States and the Willing 
house were both on the west side of Third Street. 
The Bank building stood then as it does to-day 
(it is now occupied by the Girard National Bank ) 
a little below Chestnut Street and opposite Dock 
Street. The Willing house was only a block away 
further south, at the southwest corner of Willing' s 
Alley and South Third Street, a little below Walnut 
Street. And in the years when Thomas Willing 



OF PHILADELPHIA. LVII 

was President of the Bank of the United States, 
many people knew when it was twelve o'clock, 
owing to the regularity with which he returned 
home for lunch. 

On Saturday the 17th of April, 1790, the day 
Franklin died, Thomas Willing was seated in the 
evening with several other gentlemen at the 
dinner table of Governor Mifflin at the Falls of the 
Schuylkill. The others were the Rev. Dr. William 
Smith, David Rittenhouse, Thomas McKean and 
Henry Hill. During the dinner, while a thunder- 
storm was in progress, one of Dr. Smith's negro 
servants, Primus, brought from the city to Dr. 
Smith at Governor Mifflin's house, the news of 
the aged philosopher's death. With the inspi- 
ration of the moment. Dr. Smith wrote out at 
the dinner table these lines :^* 

"Cease, cease, ye clouds, your elemental strife. 
Why rage ye thus, as if to threaten Hfe? 
Seek, seek no more to shake our souls with 

dread. 
What busy mortal told you 'FrankHn's dead?' 
What though he yields by Jove's imperious nod. 
With Rittenhouse he left his magic rod." 

^* Horace Wemyss Smith: Life and Correspondence of the Rev. 
William Smith, D.D., Philadelphia, 1880, Volume II., page 324. 



LVIII THOMAS WILLING 

Whereupon, Thomas WilHng at once wrote the 
following lines: 

"What means that flash, the thunder's awful 

roar 

The blazing sky — unseen, unheard before? 
Sage Smith repHes, 'Our Franklin is no more.' 
The clouds, long subject to his magic chain, 
Exulting now their liberty regain." 

Thomas Willing was in the habit of wearing 
shoes with broad toes, with the result that 
among his relatives and intimate friends, he was 
often referred to affectionately as "square toes." 
In his later years, too, he had served in the 
parlor every evening for those that were there at 
nine o'clock, cup custard and Madeira wine; and 
if his children stayed beyond ten o'clock, he would 
wind up the evening by saying to them there was 
"a welcome to come and a welcome to go." 

The following anecdote showed his every day 
good sense. When Louis Philippe, afterwards King 
of the French, was in this country an exile and 
earning his living by teaching, he met among 
others the daughters of Thomas Willing and fell 
in love with and wished to marry Abigail Willing, 
who subsequently became Mrs. Richard Peters. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. LIX 

When he spoke of the matter to her father, the 
latter according to family traditions replied to the 
son of Philip Egalite: "If you have no claim to 
the throne of France, you are no match for my 
daughter, and if you ever become King, she will 
be no match for you." The portrait of Mrs. Peters 
by Stuart and some of the pictures of the Princess 
Marie Amalie, whom Louis Philippe subsequently 
married, show that they were of the same general 
type of countenance. 

Thomas Willing married on the 9*^ of June, 
1763, Ann McCall, daughter of Samuel McCall 
and his wife, Ann Searle. She was born the 30*^ 
of March, 1745, and died the 5*^ Febry, 1781. 
They had thirteen children, as follows :^^ 

1. Anne, b. i'* Aug., 1764, m. 26*'', Oct. 

1780, William Bingham, Senator of 
the United States. 

2. Charles, b. the 5^^ May, 1765, d. the 

12 July, 1765. 

3. Charles, b. the 7*^ April 1766, m. i'* 

Rosalind Evans, and 2"^^, Ann Hemp- 
hill. 

^^ Thomas Balch: Letters and Papers relating chiefly to the Pro- 
vincial History of Pennsylvania (The Ship pen Papers); Philadel- 
phia, 1855, pages cv-cxix. 



LX THOMAS WILLING 

4. Thomas Mayne, b. the 15'^ April, 

1767, m. Jane Nixon. 

5. EHzabeth, b. the 27'^ March, 1768, 

m. Major WiUiam Jackson. 

6. George, b. the 4*^ April, 1769, d. the 

10*'' Aug. 1769. 

7. Mary, b. the 15*^ Sept. 1770, m. Henry 

Clymer. 

8. Dorothy, b. the 16*^ July, 1772, m. 

her cousin Thomas Willing Francis. 

9. George, b. the 14**" April, 1774, m. 

i^* Maria Benezet, and 2"*^, Rebecca 
Harrison Blackwell. 

10. Richard, b. the 25*^ Dec. 1775, m. 

Eliza Moore. 

11. Abigail, b. the 16* May, 1777, m. 

Richard Peters. 

12. WilHam Shippen, b. the 6^^ Feby, 

1779, m. Maria Wilhelmina Peters. 

13. Henry, b. the 15^^ Dec, 1780, d. the 

20*'' June, 1 78 1. 

Of the descendants of Thomas Willing, some 
have played conspicuous roles in the world. His 
eldest daughter, Mrs. Bingham, was the social 
leader of Philadelphia for many years, and in 



OF PHILADELPHIA. LXI 

England with her husband she gained immediate 

recognition from EngUsh society. In 1784 Mr. and 

Mrs. Bingham went to Europe. They spent some 

time in France and were presented at the Court 

of Louis the Sixteenth. Mrs. Bingham's beauty 

and gracious manners attracted much attention 

there. John Adams and his family were at the 

time residing in Paris; and Miss Adams writes on 

the 26th of October, 1784, that the Adamses dined 

that day with the Binghams at the Hotel Moscovy. 

"Mrs. Bingham," Miss Adams says, "gams my 

love and admiration more and more every time I 

see her; she is possessed of greater ease and 

politeness in her behavior than in any person I 

have met." And some years later, writing of a 

levee held by President and Mrs. Washington in 

Philadelphia the 25th of December, 1791, Mrs. 

Adams mentions "the dazzling Mrs. Bingham and 

her beautiful sisters, the Misses Allen, the Misses 

Chew, and in short, a constellation of beauties. "^^ 

As the two daughters of Mrs. Bingham, Anne 

Louisa and Maria Matilda, married two of the 

three sons of Sir Francis Baring, the blood of 

Thomas Willing has flown and flows in the veins 

^^Rufus Wilmot Griswold: The Republican Court, New York, 
185s, pages 256 and 270. 



LXII THOMAS WILLING 

of many members of the well known banking 
house of Baring.^^ 

The most notable of Thomas Willing' s descend- 
ants was the late Thomas Francis Bayard, three 
times elected Senator from the State of Dela- 
ware, Secretary of State in the first Cleveland 
administration (1885-1889), and the first Ameri- 
can Ambassador accredited to a foreign govern- 
ment (1893), whose splendid career was summed 
up in a few words by Grover Cleveland: "Bayard 
is the purest and most patriotic man I know." 

This biographical essay of Thomas Willing can 
fittingly close with the epitaph on his tombstone 
in Christ Churchyard, written by Horace Binney, 
in his day the leader of the American bar:^^ 

"In memory of Thomas Willing, Esquire, born 
nineteenth of December, 1731, O. S.; died nine- 
teenth of January, 1821, aged eighty-nine years 
and thirty days. This excellent man, in all the 
relations of private life, and in various stations of 
high public trust, deserved and acquired the de- 
voted affection of his family and friends, and the 

^ Thomas Balch : Letters and Papers relating chiefly to the Provincial 
History of Pennsylvania {The Ship pen Papers); Philadelphia, 1855, 
page cv., et seq. 

^^ David Paul Brown: The Forum, Philadelphia, 1856, Volume i., 
page 254. 



OF PHILADELPHIA. LXIII 

universal respect of his fellow citizens. From 1754 
to 1807 (sic), he successively held the offices of Sec- 
retary to the Congress of Delegates at Albany, Mayor 
of the City of Philadelphia, her representative in 
the General Assembly, President of the Provincial 
Congress, Delegate to the Congress of the Con- 
federation, President of the first chartered Bank 
in America, and President of the first Bank of the 
United States. With these public duties, he united 
the business of an active, enterprising and success- 
ful merchant, in which pursuit, for sixty years, 
his life was rich in examples of the influences of 
probity, fidelity, and perseverance upon the stability 
of commercial establishments, and upon that which 
was his distinguished reward upon earth, public 
consideration and esteem. His profound adoration 
of the Great Supreme, and his deep sense of de- 
pendence on His mercy, in life and in death, gave 
him, at the close of his protracted years, the humble 
hope of a superior one in Heaven." 



LETTERS AND PAPERS RELATING TO THE 
WILLING FAMILY. 

Thomas Willing of Bristol, England, to his 
Son, Charles Willing in Philadelphia.^ 

"Bristol 7 June 1743. 

"Son Charles: — I have before wrote p this 
convey^, and Sent you Some Newspapers the 
Ship being yet there gives me the oppertunity of 
Sending Some more newspapers which are full of 
news from Bavaria where the French are Hunted 
from place to place and retreating being under 
Terible aprehension of being cut to peices. 

"The Goods from Mr. Tho Stirtles are not yet 
come to hand but I have paid one of his Bills 
for 25* he advised that he had drawn for 50^ the 
the other 25^ not yet come to hand. I wish the 
Goods may come in time to Send p this con- 
veyance. 

"herewith I send you Invo &c, for Sundry s 
shipd for Mr. Jos. Mather also Ace* Currant 
BalP in my favour 2" 13" 3" 

"I am Sorry that I had not an oppertunity of 

^ Volume of Swijt and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 



2 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

sending the Goods sooner to Mr. J. E. Bingham 
and Mes'' Hamilton & Coleman, Mr. Allen, 
Mr. Tench Francis, Mr. Hasell & Mr. Mather. 
No ship has been put up since the Seneca went 
only the Cape Fair. I could have got some of 
the goods ready by the time that the Seneca 
Sailed but he Cleared out at Cust — house for 
fear of an Embargo & hurried the Ship down 
into Vine road the wind being then Fair but 
before they could get ready to Sail I think in a 
day or two after the wind came about to the 
west and kept them there for about Six weeks. 
I cannot Say that I was very Sorry for his dis- 
apointment because he had put it out of my 
power to ship the Goods by sending the Ship to 
portshet Hole. I advised him to let the Ship 
lye at the Key till after the Fair and then I 
could get the Goods ready to put a Board but 
he would not take my advice but I believe he 
after wished that he had done so but then it was 
to late. 

"Your Sister D. Hand came home the i'* Insta 
& Broug* her Son with her. She designed to 
write to you p this Conveyance. Your Son 
Francis is very well. I tell him to get his 
Letters ready to Send with mine. Your brother 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 3 

and Sister Nancy designe to write to you at 
present. I shall conclude with Blessing to you &c. 
"Yo'' most afect Father, 

'THO^ Willing." 

Thomas Willing of Bristol, England, to 
Charles Willing in Philadelphia.^ 

"Bristol 25° Aug"' i743- 
"Son Charles: 

"The 22^ June I advised you p the Cape Fair 

that p the Post that Day I reced yours of 5° 

April via Boston & London. The 7° July I 

reced yours of 20 April via Lisbon. The 28° 

July I reced yours of Sundry dates p the 

Seneca, and the V^^ Aug^* I reced yours of 

11° & 22° June p Cap*' Reeve I send this p 

the to N York to let you know that 

the Seneca is going back to Philad^ p whom 

I shall send you the Cordage, Sail Cloth, 

Anchors, 4 Small Guns about 2^ Each & Ship 

Stores &c which I hope will get Safe to you 

Soon after if not before this and please you. 

I do not expect to have the guns of 8^ W^ 

in time to Send p the Seneca. Yesterday your 

^ Voliime of Swijt and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 



4 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Son Tommy went to Wells to M'. Wheeler I 
hope he will be improved by it so that you 
will not think the extraordinary expense lost 
upon him. My wife went with him (for I 
could not goe my Selfe) She is come back and 
gives me a very pleasing acco* of the School 
&c. Tom was very well pleased with his little 
Horse. I Shall Send you some news papers p 
the Seneca I thank God we are all pretty well 
I hope this will find you all well I have not time 
to say more but that I am Yo"" most afec* Father 

Tho. Willing 

Superscription 

N Y Agt. 3 - 
"To 

M\ Cha\ Willing 

Merch* 

In Philadelphia 
"Via N York 

Rec*^ & forwarded 
By S-" Y^ humble Ser'^ 

Lubbouck & Haynes 

"Memo. ( ^""'^^^^ ^^S'' ^5 i743- Tho^ Willings— 

) Adv. G. rect mine of June ii**" & 
on / ** 

letter ) ^^^ ^''43 & that my Cordage &c shou'd 
' be shipt on the Seneca." 



willing letters and papers. 5 

Thomas Willing of Bristol, England, to his 
Son, Charles Willing in Philadelphia.^ 

"Bristol 5 Sept. 1743. 

"Son Charles: — The foregoing is Copy of what 
I wrote to you 25 Augs* the Tyger to N. York 
last Saturday 3*^ Inst^ I reced yours of 29th 
June via N York Your 1000^ is on an Estate of 
S' George Howell it will not be difficult to have 
the Money at a Short warning it being at 4^ 
p Ct & the Interest duely paid I gave you an 
ace* p the Cape Fair where the Estate lyes, I 
could not get the Insura don on the Bankers to 
Jam^. If I would have given twice 12^ p. Ct 
the prem you proposed I observe you Say that 
you have great many Shalloons & other woollen 
Goods by you worsted is advanced from 13^ to 
19^ ye Pack of Course all Sorts of Goods made 
therewith are greatly advanced the Makers have 
raised the Nar Shalloons to 22/ and they talk of 
putting them up to 24 p ps and Brod Shalloons 
will be raised in propor" Duroyes Kerseys Brod 
Cloth, Rugs & Blankets and all Sorts of woollen 
goods are advanced near 25 pet. and dearer they 
will be. 

^ Volume of Swijl and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 



6 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"8 Sepr yesterday I reced yours of 23^^ June 
and will observe your directions and get the 
Insura done according to your order. 

"8 Sept', herewith I send you Invo & Bill of 
Lading for Sundrys Shiped on the Seneca Math 
Wasbrough Mast' for Philad^ Amount as p 
Invo to 265" 3" 2" on your ace* exclusive of 
Insura; which I hope will get safe to hand and 
please you I had the Anchors of Ste: Perry I 
hope they will prove good I think the Guns are 
very neat work. I do not expect to have the 2 
Large Guns to send by this conveyance. I could 
not get a Garden Roler larger than 2^ long & 
15 Inches Diam; the Size Sent, the Stores are 
agreeable to your order only I have made some 
alteration in Som of the Small Cordage by the 
advice of Mr. Hobhouse's Man. I saw a Cable 
put a Board for W". Doune made by R. Farr 
which he took in pay for Tar. You must take 
care that they do not change it for one of yours 
the weight will Show the differance, I got the 16 
p^ Sail Cloth in No. i, 2 & 3 myself but I was 
obliged to Mr. Will Clymer for getting the 12 p^ 
of Light Canvas in No. 4 & 5 ea. for it being 
harvest time the Makers had but very few by 
them so that I could hardly get them for money 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 7 

which I paid down, for every piece of them and 
glad that I could get them Jo" Taylor Sells his 
at 14*^ only abates }4^ py*^ for ready money. 
The Cask of Beer I had of Mr. WilHs I hope it 
will prove good I had none by me fit to Send at 
this time but propose to Send you Som by next 
oppertunity. I could not get any good Chesshire 
Cheese such as they had would not Sell under 24/ 
p c^ for which reason I have Sent you i c^ 
of good Glostershire cheese which I hope will 
please you, the Speaking Trumpet & Lanthorne 
are put a Board loose and the 3 Long Brushes 
Mr. Wheeler sent 3 Dos. Beer to be forwarded to 
you, but it was not fine & I suppose it was put 
up in old Bottles not well cleaned & old Corks 
So that I knew it was not worth paying Freight 
for it for which reason I did not send it. I paid 
3/ for the Carriage of it from Wells. I wish he 
had not sent it for I think it has not age fit to 
send to Philad^. I am sorry that I had not an 
opportunity of Sending these Goods to you 
Sooner and that the Ship is yet here winter 
drawing on and fearing it will be a loss & dis- 
apointment to you if the Ship meets with a long 
passage it may be to late for you to get out 
your new Ship before the winter sets in, but I 



8 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

hope it will Som way or other turn out to your 
satisfaction. j ^^^ ^^ 

"The foregoing is Copy of what I wrote to 
you p the Seneca. I have got the Insura don 
on the Debby to Jam\ according to your order 
105 at 3' 10/ p Ct Poll 4/6 & Comm^ 15/6 
abt 4" 8/6 I could not get the Insura don on the 
Vernon at 5 gs. you ought to have Sent your order 
sooner. If you expect to have any Insura don 
here. Yesterday I reced yours of 22^ July Via. 
Lisbon with W. Aliens Bill on Jo' & T. Simp- 
son & C°. for 233' for acco* of your sister 
Nancy. I am glad to hear the Vernon arrived 
I forgot to advise you p the Seneca that R. 
Sanders the shoemaker has been Dead some 
time so that I could not send the Shoes you 
wrote for Your Mother wrote by the Seneca 
that she had sent the Shoes &c., p the said 
Ship but did not for Cap*. Wasbrough told 
me at the Cust° house the Morning that he 
Cleared out his Ship that he would be at 
Tolzey and pay me the 10" 10/ I did not see 
him after that But he weny away and left 
the Box behind but in a few days after he 
was gon his Brother paid me the Money. 



I 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 9 

"P this conveyance I have sent you Some 
News papers under Cover to Finney & Lewis 
& desired them to forward the Same to you 
p the first oppertunity by which you will find 
that Don Phillip have been defeated in attempting 
to Enter Italy and that the Confederate Army 
on the Rhyne is gon into winter quarters and 
the French Army is also going into winter 
quarters. The K. of Denmark has accepted 
of the mediation of the Maritim Powers so 
that the preparations for war with Sweden are 
layd a Side. We have War & Rumor of War 
and yet no War declared against France nor 
France against us. I have had a pain in my 
right Shoulder ever since Nov"" last its so bad 
that I cannot pull my Coat of or put it on 
with out help and affects my arm and hand 
so much that I can Scarce write. I believe I 
got it by a Strain and by often renewing it 
and the Cold weather about that time fix* it 
so that I cannot yet get rid of it, I cannot 
think it to be anything of a Rheumatick pain. 
I am with Blessing to you all 

"Y'most afec* Father 

"Thos Willing." 



10 willing letters and papers. 

Thomas Willing of Bristol, England, to 
Charles Willing in Philadelphia.* 

"Bristol May 26^^ 1744. 

"Son Charles: — My last to you was of 20 
April p the New Susannah, since that I reed 
Letters from Cap* Nichols & Thos. Edwards 
with news of the Dorothy's safe arrival at 
Jamaica. The 2V\ Inst I reed letters from 
Cap' Nicholls & Mess" Hill & Guerard advising 
of the Dorothy's being arrived at S° Carolina, 
that they had taken a freight for Bristol at £ 
3.10/ p Ton & hoped to be here in three months. 
Since your last Letter I have reed Letters from 
Jo Shippen of 6 Jan^ mentioning the most of the 
Goods in the Seneca were saved but the Ship 
lost. I suppose you sent p the Ranger Cap* 
Reeve a more particular account, but it's not 
come to hand he being taken and carried into 
France, & it may be some time before we have 
account thereof, if you omit send-ng a Copy by 
the next oppertunity. 31st May 1744. 

"The 27th. Inst. I reed a Letter from Cap* 
Nicholls dated S° Carolina 11 April with direc- 

* Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. II 

tions to make £800 Insurance on the Dorothy to 
Bristol, the Prem will be 16 g^ p ct to pay 85. 
I have sent to London to know how it can be 
done there, & shall do the best for your interest. 
Premiums are so high no trade will bear it. at 
present I have not more to say but that I am 
"Your affect" Father 

"Tho. Willing." 

Advertisement of Charles Willing.^ 

"Just imported and to be sold by Charles 
Willing at his House in Third Street, a large 
Assortment of Woolen and other Goods suitable 
for the Season; consising of 

"Superfine and coarse broad-cloths in pieces and 
suits, druggets fine and coarse, plains fine and 
coarse, superfine Devonshire kerseys, scarlet rateens 
light and cloth colour' d ditto, naps, striped dussil 
and couloured ditto, strouds, half -thicks, broad 
and narrow shalloons, waddings, rose and coloured 
rugs, blankets, buntings for colours, fiannels 
striped, white, red and scarlet, duroys plain and 
mixed, Coventry Tammies, floretta's bed-ticken, 

^ Penna. Journal or Weekly Advertiser. January 5, 1747-8, No. 268, 
page 3. 



12 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Flanders ditto, cotton counterpans, caddis, quality 
binding, gartering, pins, buckram, striped Hollands, 
gilt buttons, womens shoes, men's, women's, 
boy's and girl's worsted hose, worsted caps, 
callimanicoes, camblets, silk and romal handker- 
chiefs, callicoes, red chints, printed linen 3-4ths, 
7-8 ths, and yard wide garlix's, linen and 
cotton checks, yellow canvas, Irish hollands and 
linens, clouting and napkining diaper, tabling and 
napkin damask, Russia linen, nuns and gulix 
hollands, cambricks, lawns, muslins, China and 
Persian taffeties, alamodes, padusoys, blush col- 
oured Persian, men, women and children's gloves 
and mittens, buttons and twist of all sorts, 
mohair, cord, silver and gold wire buttons, plain 
figured white and striped fustians, cannon and 
pistol powder, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12 and 20 d Nails, 
clasp hobs, horse traces, frying pans, cross cut 
and pit saws, with other ironmongery ware; All 
sorts of canvas, London cables, and cordage, 
pipes and choice muscovado sugar." 



willing letters and papers. i3 

Thomas Willing of Bristol, England, to 
Charles Willing in Philadelphia.^ 

"Bristol 27° Nov*'" 1744 
"Son Charles: 

"I have before advised you that on Saterday 
10° I was in hopes the Wind would have Served 
for the Doro to have Sailed the next day but 
Sunday the 17° the wind came about to the 
westward on Saterday the 17° the Wind came 
up to N. N. W. & N. & expected that the 
Ships to have Sailed on Sunday the 18° but 
the Wind blew so hard that the Ships could 
not get under Sail the Doro unmored & was 
drove on the Swatch but of againe next day 
without any Damages. 

"The Wind is just now come up to N. E. 
and I hope will hold so as to carry them of 
the Cap* is up in Town to get another mate 
it has given me a great deal of trouble and 
Vexation to have the Ship lay down in this 
Road above 5 weeks but the Neptune Capt 
Laws for Boston has been down in Kingroad 
above 10 weeks and not yet gon. Your Mother 

® Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Batch Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 



14 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

and Broth' came home last Night in a dusty 
Pickle the Roads being very bad. 

I am yo"" most 
afec* Father 

Tho Willing 

"Since I wrote the forgoing I reced yours of 
31 July and 29 Aug^* via N York by a Snow 
Bound from N York to London but drove 
up into our Channel to which I have not time 
to give you any answer Sam Allen the Boat- 
swaine has had two Shillings and John Smith 
five Shillings which you must Stop out of their 
wages." 

Superscription 
"To 

M\ Cha\ Willing 

merch*^ 
In Philadelph^" 



willing letters and papers. 1 5 

Thomas Willing of Bristol, England, to 
Charles Willing in Philadelphia/ 

"Bristol 2^ Sep^' 1746 
"Son Charles: 

"My last to you was 31 Dece'''" I then advised 
that the 4 Bills w*"^ you Sent me for 492" 18 "2 
were all protested. 

"I also advised you that on Sunday 27 octo^*" 
I reed yours of the 10° Aug''' with orders to 
make 400* Insura: on the Lucca but the next 
morning a Ship arrived here from Barbados by 
whom I had letter from Cap*. Loyd advising of 
his being arrived there So that you have Saved 
the Charge of that Insura. I also advised of 
Wilcockes Bill on Truman and Duglas for 300* 
being com to hand but not accepted, but I can 
now tell you that it was Som time after accepted 
and Since paid but neither of the 4 Bills for 
492"i8"2 are yet paid but M^ Sprigg says he 
will pay them. 

"I reced your order to make Insura: on the 
Dorothy from Philad^. which I did accordingly 
charge as under but have not yet any account 

^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Batch Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 



1 6 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

of her being arrived or Taken. I fear she is 
lost. At present I have not time but to ad but 
that I am 

Your most afect. 
Father 
Tho! Willing 

"To Insura on the Dorothy 
Philad*. to Lisbon 

650*' on Ship at 14 G^ p O 95" 1 1" o 

PolHcy 4/6^ o" 4" 6 

To my Comm^ /^ P C* 3" 5" o 

99" o" 6 

600' on Goods at 14 G' p C 88" 4" o 

PolHcy 4/6^ o" 4" 6 

Comm^ K P C* 3" o" o 

91" 8" 6 



Superscription 
"To 
M*. Charles Willing 
Merch' 
In 

Philadelphia 
P the John Gatty" 



190" 9" o" 



willing letters and papers. 1 7 

John Penn to Thomas Willing.^ 
"Dear Sir: — My time was so very much taken 
up in the disagreeable Ceremony of Visiting & 
in preparing for our Httle Voyage to Rhode 
Island, that I could only find time while I 
was at N. York to write to my dear friend the 
Governor — Our passage from N. York was 
dangerous & very unpleasant, especially to me 
as I have ever since been disabled from writing 
till this morning, have kept my room several 
days & for the first time since I have been in 
America ask'd the Advice of a D"" & been 
oblig'd to follow it. We met with very blowing, 
raw weather in the Sound & by being too 
frequently upon Deck in the night without my 
Cloaths, I caught a violent cold, which feel 
upon my bowells. I think I have suffered 
more these four days past than I ever did in 
my life & nothing but my being quite disabled 
could have been a sufficient excuse (even to 
my self) for neglecting to write to you before — 
I have promis'd to drink tea with your old 
flame this afternoon (that is if I find I can behave 
decently without making wry faces). You may 
guess who I mean— Mrs. Ap thorp — I wish I could 

* Pennsylvania Magazine, Philadelphia, 1881, Volume V., page 352. 



1 8 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

call her Polly M'Evers for your sake, that is, 
if you do yourself, but perhaps matters are as 
well as they are, you might have alter'd your 
mind by this time. As you are the man in 
the world who seem to want a Portmanteau 
the most, one word of advice from an old 
friend before you tye it up behind you may not 
come mal a propos; this is supposing you 
can't live without baggage, & your great vartue 
won't suffer you to unburden your Conscience 
with the wicked ones of the world, well you 
are right there's nothing like a virtuous way of 
thinking in a young man never swallow the 
hook till you are convinc'd It's not poisoned, 
this requires some time, should you find any 
defect, you are just where you were before, & 
ready to try a fresh one, You'll think presently 
I grow grave & say I am a fool, but upon 
my honour, Tom, you have such a living 
Example eternally before you, that it would be 
impertinent in me to pretend to say anything 
more, if you do but keep that in your mind, 
& weigh your Polly's Betsy's &c against it, 
you won't be deceived, but then I believe it 
will be a long time before you are satisfy'd, 
& you will perhaps grow tyr'd of the tryal 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 9 

I need not tell you where to find this example, 
tho' I must own I have known some brothers 
very blind to anything that was in favour of 
a Sister, but that I have too good an opinion 
of you to think you are. We are not likely to 
get an agreable passage from hence, so have 
determin'd to proceed immediately to Halifax 
where we are sure of going in a man of war, 
'tis said here the french fleet had got out of 
Louisbourg. We are to be entertain'd to morrow 
night with a Concert & a ball, the next night 
we shall be at sea. I beg you'll all sit cross 
leg'd for our good voyage. Pray make my 
Comp' to Mrs. Willing Nancy & Dolly not 
forgetting the Young Ones. You may drink my 
good voyage the first of November, which is 
the time the men of war sail from Halifax. 
tell Nancy if she does not eat & drink more 
that day than she has done these three years 
past I'll never forgive her. I wont put up with 
a Acorn full for a Bumper. As I cannot have 
the pleasure of hearing from you while I am 
in America I shall expect it in England the 
Gov"" will let you know my direction tho' 
perhaps we may never meet again yet there 
is some small satisfaction in writing; the 



20 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Anecdotes of Phil will not be disagreable 
especially as I know the principal actors in 
anything that can happen, I suppose you'l 
laugh when I tell you, I could not leave Phil 
with dry Eyes, I don't remember I ever was 
so Childish in my life before. Adiew, if there 
is anybody, who thinks it worth while asking 
after me pray make my Comp' to them, & 
believe me 

"Dear Sir 

Your very Hum: Ser* 
& Affect^ Friend 

John Penn. 
"Boston Oct: loth 1755. 

"Cap* Suckling who was at Phil a year ago, has 
got the Lys a 74 gun ship." 



Advertisement of Willing, Morris and 
Company.^ 

"May 6th. 

"Just imported from the Coast of Africa in the 
Brigantine Nancy, William Clarke, Master; and 
to be sold at Wilmington, in New Castle County, 

* Penna. Journal and Weekly Advertiser, May 6, 1762, No. 1013. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 21 

where attendance is given by Willing, Morris, 
and Comp. of Philadelphia.. 

"One Hundred and Seventy five Gold Coast 
Negroes. N. B. In the West India Islands, 
where Slaves are best known, those of the Gold 
Coast are in much greater Esteem and higher 
valued than any others on Account of their 
natural good Dispositions, and being better 
capable of hard Labour." 



Advertisement of Willing and Morris. ^° 

"September i. 

"The copartnership of Willing Morris and Com- 
pany being now dissolved, all persons indebted 
to the said Company, are desired to make 
immediate payment and more particularly those 
who are indebted on bond for Negroes sold in 
the Lower Counties. The goods remaining on 
hand are as follows and will be sold very cheap 
for ready money or short credit, by Willing and 
Morris, at their Wharfe and Store below the 
Draw Bridge. 



Penna. Journal, September 29, 1763, No. 1086, page 5. 



22 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"Jamaica spirit; a large quantity and good 
assortment of Madeira wines from £30 to £60 
per pipe some of the latter price near three years 
old, Fyal and Teneriffe wines, Rhinish wine in 
casks, Bristol beer, very good bohea tea in whole 
and half chests, pruens in hogheads, boxes of 
brimstone, boxes of painted and plain glass ware, 
cases of toys, violins, spinning wheels, cordage, 
two anchors of 12 ct. and 15 ct. wt. Spanish 
musquets, English ditto tower powder, an invoice 
of castor and felt hatts; a large quantity of 
spermaceta candles, best Havannah white sugars; 
a quantity of junipper berry's and anniseeds, 
with sundry other goods." 

The address of the Merchants and Traders 
of Philadelphia to Governor John Penn, No- 
vember 2 1st, 1763." 

" From Penn Manuscripts, Additional Miscellaneous Letters, Volume 
page 115. This manuscript was donated July loth 1846 to The 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania by Mr. Philip S. Justice of Phil- 
adelphia and London. He inherited it from his father, Mr. George 
M. Justice. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 23 

"to THE HONORABLE JOHN PENN, ESQUIRE 

''Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of 
the Province of Pennsylvania; and the Counties of 
New Castle, Kent and Sussex, upon Delaware. 

"THE HUMBLE ADDRESS OF THE MER- 
CHANTS AND TRADERS OF THE 
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. 

"may it please your HONOR, 

"The Merchants and Traders of the City of 
Philadelphia beg leave to express their Joy, 
upon your Appointment, and safe arrival to 
this Government. 

"It is, we assure you. Sir, with Pleasure, we 
see the Reins of Government Committed to 
One, descended from that great Legislator, the 
Founder of this Province; a Founder, under 
whose wise and free System of Policy, the 
Colony has so remarkably fioiuished, and her 
Trade become so extensively useful to herself, 
and her Mother Country. We therefore have 
great Reason to indulge ourselves, in the pleasing 
Expectation, that you will zealously pursue the 
excellent Plan of your illustrious Ancestor, and 
most cheerfully, upon every Occasion, promote 
and encourage the commercial Interest of this 



24 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

City, upon which so essentially depends, the 
Welfare of the Province. 

"We ardently hope, that your Administration 
will be as agreeable to yourself, as we trust, it 
will be happy to the People, whose real and 
permanent Interest, we humbly conceive, is in- 
separably connected with that, of your Honorable 

Family. 

Thos. Willing. 



"Philadelphia, November 21st, 1763. 

"Several of the Subscribers, being of the 

People called Quakers, except as usual, to 

the Stile — 

Wm. Plumsted Judah Foulke 

Tho. Lawrence Dan'l Rundle 

Jos. Fox William Do well 

John Mease John Baynton 

Chas. Stedman Saml. Wharton 

Saml. Mifflin John Kidd 

Heny. Harrison J as. Wharton 

Redmd. Conyngham Chas. Willing 

Is. Jones Joseph Wood 

Jere'ah Warder Wm. Lloyd 

Joshua Fisher Jno. Shee 

James Benezet Robt. Lewis 

Sam. Smith Wm. Richards 

Jos. Richardson Benj. Mifflin 

William Fisher Stephen Shewell 

Abel James Philip Benezet 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



25 



Amos Strettell 
Wm. Ritchie 
P. Turner, Junr. 
Charles Woodham 
Daniel Clark 
Peter Wikoff 
Archd. McCall 
Saml. Meredith 
James Chalmers 
James Wallace 
JoNA. Evans 
Jos. Saunders 
Saml. Corry 
John Wikoff 
Joshua Howell 
Geo. Morgan 
Geo. Roberts 
Robert Ritchie 
Alexr. Lunan 
Willm. Ibison 
Chas. Thomson 
Jon. Hughes 
Jno. Ross 
Miles Hillborn 
Tench Francis 
Saml. Massey 
M. L. Hillegas 
John Chew 
Thos. Smith 
Philip Kinsey 
Peter Reeve 
Thomas Brown 
Rob't. Morris 
Charles Bathe 



Stepn. Carmick 

Jno. Wilcocks 

Garrett Meade 

Jno. Rolfe 

N. Evans 

John Flanagan 

James Eddy 

Jos. Wharton, Junr. 

Richd. Footman 

John Nelson 

Jno. White 

Saml. Purviance, Junr. 

Anthony Stocker 

Richd. Bache 

Reynold Keene 

Peter Knight 

Geo. Bryan 

B. Fuller 

J as. Young 

Hu. Donaldson 

W. Morris, Jun. 

Clement Biddle 

Tho. Wharton 

John McMichael 

John Sayre 

Henry Kepples 

James Mease 

Peter Chevalier, Junr. 

Charles Meredith 

Danl. Benezet 

Sam. Cars an 

John Gibson 

John Peyton 

Wm. Adcock 



26 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



Walter Shee 
John Cadwalader 
Thomas Mifflin 
Thos. Burke 
Geo. Fullerton 
Saml. Jackson 
Alex. Huston 
Richard Wells 
Saml. Sansom, Junior 
Benj. Swett, Junr. 
Jno. Murray 
Thomas Montgomery 
James Alexander 
Benjamin Levy 
Thos. Riche 
S. Shoemaker 
Cornelius Bradford 
Andrw. Hodge 
Wm. Henry 
John Biddle 
Charles Williams 
BucKRiDGE Sims 
William Pusey 
William Gibbons 
Jno. Ord 

Saml. Morris, Junr. 
Andw. Bankson 
GiLB. Barkly 
Isaac Wikoff 
M. Furman 
RicHD. Parker 
James Gordon 
Thos. Potts 
Benja. Kendall 



TowNSEND White 
Wm. Ball 
John Allen 
John Nixon 
William Symonds 
Henry Groth 
Thos. Bond, Junr. 
Francis Jeyes 
William Morrell 
Danl. Williams 
Saml. Purviance 
Cadw. Morris 
Tho. Richardson 
John Cox, Junr. 
John^Maxwell Nesbitt 
Enoch Story 
Wm. Bradford 
John Chevalier 
Jno. Ladd Howell 
Joseph Swift 
James Harding 
Geo. Clymer 
Reese Meredith 
John Bell 
Thos. Gilbert 
Chas. Coxe 
Saml. Flower 
Jos. Redman 
Wm. Hodge 
Jno. Bayard 
Tho. Wharton, Junr. 
JosiAH Hewes 
Andrew Reed" 



i 



willing letters and papers. 27 

Advertisement of Willing and Morris. ^^ 

"Just arrived from Bristol, the ship Sarah, 
Capt. James Drew: having on board thirty 
indented servant men and men boys, aged 
from 16 to 17 years, who have to serve from 
four to seven years, and amongst them are 
the following trades and occupations, 

"One white-smith, one black-smith, one lock- 
smith, one bright smith one wool comber, one 
butcher, one limeburner, one * Plaisterer, one 
coachman, one joiner, one braisier, one leather 
dresser, one mason, one gentleman's servant, 
one sawyer and the remainder shoemakers, 
weavers, husbandmen and labourers. They 
are to be seen on board said ship, at Willing 
and Morris's wharf, who have to dispose of 
their times, and can shew the character each 
servant bore in his own country. 

"The said Willing and Morris have import- 
g^ *** »» 

^^Pennsylvania Journal. No. 1167. April 18, 1765, page 3, 



28 willing letters and papers. 

General Bouquet to Thomas Willing. 
"Philadelphia 25*^ June, 1765.^^ 

*'I shall be no more, My good Friend, when 
you read this last Letter, but I indulge myself 
with the pleasing thought that our Friendship 
will not even then be extinct, and that you will 
some times think of me. 

"The Five Tracts of Land which I give you 
in my Will, I beg you will make over to your 
Sister EHzabeth Willing. They are worth little 
or nothing at this Time, but may hereafter 
become of some value, tho' at best a very 
trifling mark of my Respect & attachment for 
my dear Betsie. May she be as happy in a 
worthy Husband, as she is in a brother. 

"I leave you nothing, because I have nothing 
worthy of your acceptance, & only give you 
here, an additional Trouble. I must die as I 
have lived. 

"Farewell my good Friend. Be happy, — Give 

^^ Volume of Stvift and Willing Letters (Balch Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. George Harrison Fisher: Brigadier-General 
Henry Bouquet; The Pennsylvania Magazine, Philadelphia, 1879, Vol- 
ume III., page 121. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 29 

my Love to Nancy, Dolly and your other 
Sisters. Adieu I shall be to my last hour. 
"Yours most affectionally 

Henry Bouquet 

^^ Thomas Willing Esq''.'' 

Superscription : 

"To Tho^ Willing Esq^ 
at Philadelphia 
"Hen: Bouquet." 

The Non-Importation Resolutions of the 25**" 
of October, 1765. The original manuscript was 
presented to the Historical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania on the 8*^ of May, 1854 by William 
Bradford.^'' The resolutions are as follows: — 

"The Merchants & Traders of the City of 
Philadelphia, taking into their consideration the 
Melancholy state of the N°. American commerce 

^^ The following explanatory letter accompanied the Non-Impor- 
tation Resolutions manuscript when it was presented to the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 

"Phila^Mayio*'*i854. 
"Hon. Thomas Sergeant 

President of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 
"Dear Sir 

"Permit me to present through you to the Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania, the original Declaration of Independence made by the 



30 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

in general, and the distressed situation of this 
Province of Pennsylvania in particular, do unani- 
mously agree: — 

"That, the many difficulties they now Labour 
under as a trading people, are owing to the 
Restrictions, Prohibitions and ill ad vis' d Regu- 
lations made in several Acts of the Parliament 
of Great Britain lately pass'd to regulate the 
Colonies; which have limited the Exportation of 
some part of our country produce, encreas'd the 
cost and expence of many articles of our Impor- 
tation and cut off from us all means of supply- 
ing ourselves with Specie enough, even to pay the 

citizens of Philadelphia known as the Non-Importation Resolutions. 
This paper was a gift to me by my late grandfather, Thomas Brad- 
ford. At the time of the gift he made substantially the following 
statement; that this paper was the first public act in this country, 
declaring resistance to the oppressive acts of the British Crown; 
That when a young man, he went from house and store to store in the 
then City of Philadelphia and obtained the majority of the signatures 
hereto annexed; That the city limits were then, Race Street on the 
north, Third Street on the west. Dock Creek on the south and the 
River Delaware on the east; that his father William Bradford being 
a member of a committee appointed at a public meeting held by the 
citizens for the purpose of procuring signatures to these resolutions, 
gave the paper to him and that after he had procured many of the 
signatures, the document was placed in his father's office at the Coffee 
House; which was kept at the corner of Front and Market Streets 
for public inspection at which place the remaining names were added. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 3 1 

duties impos'd on us, much less to serve as a 
Medium of our Trade. 

"That, this Province is heavily in Debt to Great 
Britain for the Manufactures 8c other Importa- 
tions from thence, which the Produce of our 
lands have been found unequal to pay for, when 
a free exportation of it to the best Markets was 
allow *d of, and such trades open as supply 'd us 
with Cash & other Articles of immediate remit- 
tance to Great Britain. 

"That the late unconstitutional law (the stamp 
Act) if carried into execution in this Province, 
will further tend to prevent our making those 

"These facts have induced me to oflEer this choice relic to the Society 
to be deposited in its archives as the most appropriate for its pres- 
entation. 

"Some years since I loaned it to our fellow citizen, Mr. Thomas 
Fisher, who had fac similes taken of it which are to be seen in many 
of our Public Institutions and in various other places. 
"With sentiments of respect & esteem I remain 

Your Obt. Servant 

W'^. Bradford. 

"The date of October 25, 1765 was placed on the docimient by my 
Grandfather Thomas Bradford in lead pencil. I know it to be his 
writing, it was done at the time he gave me the paper. He was ninety 
years of age when he gave the instrument to me and in the full vigor 
of all his powers of mind and body. May S***, 1835. 

"W^. Bradford." 



32; WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Remittances to Great Britain, for payment of 
old Debts, or purchase of more Goods, which 
the Faith subsisting between the Individuals 
trading with each other requires. And therefore, 
in justice to ourselves, to the Traders of Great 
Britain who usually give us Credit & to the 
Consumers of British Manufactures in this 
Province: the Subscribers hereto have voluntarily 
and unanimously come into the following resolu- 
tions and agreements, in hopes that their 
Example will stimulate the good people of this 
Province, to be frugal in their use and consump- 
tion of all Manufactures, excepting those of 
America and lawful goods coming Directly from 
Ireland Manufactured there, whilst the necessi- 
ties of our Country are such as to require it; 
And in- hopes that their Brethren the Merchants 
and Manufacturers of Great Britain will find 
their own Interest so intimately connected with 
ours, that they will be spurr'd on to befriend us 
from that Motive, if no other shou'd take place. 
"First, it is unanimously resolved and agreed 
that in all orders, any of the Subscribers to this 
Paper, may send to Great Britain for goods, 
they shall and will direct their Correspondents not 
to ship them untill the Stamp Act is repealed. — 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 33 

"Secondly, That, all those amongst the Sub- 
scribers that have already sent orders to Great 
Britain for goods, shall and will immediately 
countermand the same until the Stamp Act is 
Repealed, —Except such Merchants as are owners 
of vessels already gone or now cleared out for 
Great Britain, who are at liberty to bring back 
in them on their own Accounts, Coales, Casks 
of Earthenware, Grindstones, Pipes, Iron Pots, 
empty Bottles & such other bulky Articles as 
owners usually fill up their Ships with, but no 
dry Goods of any kind, except such kind of Dye 
stuffs & utensils necessary for carrying on Manu- 
factures, that may be order'd by any Person. 

''Thirdly, That, none of the Subscribers hereto 
shall or will vend any Goods or Merchandize 
whatsoever, that shall be ship'd them on Com- 
mission from Great Britain after the first Day 
of January next unless the Stamp Act be re- 
peaVd. 

"Fourthly, That these resolves & Agreements 
shall be binding on all & each of us the Sub- 
scribers who do hereby each and every Person 
for himself, upon his word of Honour, agree, that 
he will strictly & firmly adhere to, and abide 
by, every article from this time untill the first 



34 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

day of May next, when a Meeting of the Sub- 
scribers shall be call'd, to consider whether the 
further continuance of this obligation be then 
Necessary. 

"Fifthly, It is agreed that if goods of any kind 
do arrive from Great Britain at such time or 
under such circumstances, as to render any 
signer of this Agreement suspected of having 
broke his promise, the Committee now appointed 
shall enquire into the premises, and if such 
suspected person refuses or cannot give them 
Satisfaction, the Subscribers hereto will unani- 
mously take all prudent measures to discoun- 
tenance and prevent the Sale of such goods 
untill they are released from this agreement by 
mutual and general Consent. 

"Lastly, As it may be necessary that a Com- 
mittee of the Subscribers be appointed to wait 
on the Traders of this City to get this present 
agreement universally Subscrib'd, the following 
Gentlemen are appoin[t]ed for that purpose. — 
Thomas Willing & Samuel Mifflin Esq"., 
Thomas Montgomery, Samuel Howell, Samuel 
Wharton, John Rea, WilP Fisher, Joshua 
Fisher, Peter Chevalier, Benjamin Fuller and 
Abel James. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



35 



"Tho". Willing 

Jam^ Pemberton 

Jos: Fox 

Joshua Fisher & Son 

B. Fuller 

Sam"^ Burge 

B. Sims 

Tho^ Bond Ju 

W. Morris Jun 

Amos Strettell 

Joseph Swift 

Thomas Montgomery 

John Chew 

Stamper & Bingham 

Abr"". Mitchel 

John Bayard 

John Gibson 

THO^ Smith 

CONYNGHAM & NeSBITT 

Carson Barclay & 

Mitchell 
Israel Morris Jun''. 
Benj^. Gibbs 
Francis Jeyes 
Robert Montgomery 
Sam*- Caldwell 
Jn°. Ladd Howell 
Sam"- Purviance JuN^ 
Jn°. Ross J^ 
Benja Wynkoop 
John Wikoff 
Jn°. Hart 
Tench Tilghman 
Cad & Sam'^ C. Morris 



Jos: Saunders 
Baynton Wharton & 

Morgan 
Kearny & Gilbert 
Sam'- Smith 
W Storrs Fry 
John Cox Jun". 
Ab^ Usher 
Peter Wikoff 
Fr^ Richardson Ju"". 
David Hall 
Steph'' Carmick 
William Scott 
James Budden 
Sam'- Mathey 
Jn^ Shu 
RoB^ Morris 
Tho^ Wallace 
Benjamin Levy 
Benj: Swett ju". 
Tho Wharton 
Dan'- Rundle 
John Nixon 
Jos Wharton jun" 
Persifor Frazer 
Enoch Story 
Jn° Ord 
Francis Harris 
Sam"- Morris Jun" 
Daniel Roberdeau 
W" Lloyd 
Ja^ Harding 
Peter Reeve 
Sam Hudson 



36 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



Dan^ Benezet 

Samson Levy 

Joseph Dean 

Jn° & Peter Chevalier 

David Deshler 

David Sproat 

W". Richards 

David Potts 

Wills & Jackson 

John & David Rhea 

Reese Meredith 

Jos. Richardson 

Joshua Howell 

Richr° Parker 

Sam"- Morton 

W" Heysham 

John Peirse 

W*. Bradford 

THO^ West 

Benj'' Rawle 

Ja^. Harvey 

Zac". Hutchings 

Philip Benezet 

Tench Francis 

Joseph Wood 

Tho Wharton jun" 

Benj*". Morgan 

W" DOWELL 

Cha^ Thomson 
W**. Sitgreaves 
Caleb Jones 
JosiAH Hewes 
Sam'- Mifflin 
Tho^ Riche 



Sam"-. Purviance 
Willing & Tod 
Geo Clymer 
Da Beveridge 
Geo Emlen Jun"". 
Geo Bryan 

TOWNSEND W^HITE 

Peter Knight 
Alex'- Huston 
John Sparhawk 
THO^ Turner 
James Drinker 
FRAN^ Wade 
James James 
Sam Howell 
William Rush 

Hu: DONNALDSON 

Elijah Brown 
Jn° Mifflin 
Jn° Morton 
Arch° M Call 
John Mease 
John Armitt 
Sam Meredith 

CHA^ COXE 

THO^ Penrose 
James Penrose 
Dowers & Yorke 
James Benezet 
W^ Henry 

George & John Kidd 
Peter Turner Sen 
Isaac & Jo^ Paschall 
Lydia & Elz Hyde 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



37 



Joseph Jacobs 
W** Symonds 
Jn°. Zest (or Test) 
Jos: Pennock ju"* 
RoB^ Taggart 
W Falconer 
William Craig 
Owen Biddle 
Benj^. Hooton 
David Bacon 
Sam"- Carruthers 
Jacob Shoemaker jun''. 
Bartram & Dundas 
RoB^ Bass 
Peyton & Adcock 
Nath Tweedy 
Rich"*. & Peter Footman 
Ad". Hoops 
Caleb Hewes 
Sam"-. Fisher 
Joseph Baker 

CoXE & FURMAN 

RoB^. Waln 

Geo: Robotham 

And"^. Bankson 

Hugh & Geo Roberts 

Jere*". Warder 

Rob: Tuckniss 

John Steinmetz 

Hugh Forbes 

B. F. for Randle 

Mitchell 
Joseph Claypoole 
Rich". Swan 



Allen & Turner 
John Ingles 
John Pringle 
John Nelson 
Sam'- Bunting 
Tho Clifford 
Isaac Cox 
Sam'- Smith 
James Hartley 
S"- Shoemaker 
W. Allison 
Hyman Levy Jun"". 
Ja^. Wharton 
John Bell 
Magee & Sanderson 
Henry Keppele Ju"". 
John Hughes 
Reuben Haines 
Owen Jones 
Elis"" Paschall 
Benjam" Da vies 
Hudson Emlen 
Rich". Waln 
John Knowles 
William Vander- 

SPIEGOL 

Peter Thomson 
W. Pollard 
Tho Lawrence 
judah foulke 
John Cox 
Theo Gardner 
Sam"- Sansom Jun 
Th Bond 



38 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



James Eddy 

Philip Kearny Jr. 

RlCH^. Bache 

Jona: Evans 

Anthony Stocken 

Jo Smith 

Hugh M^Culloch 

Phil: Syng 

Garrett & Geo. Meade 

J. Craig 

W": MORRELL 

John Bayly 
John Peters 
HuBLEY & Graff 
Thomas Dicas 
Mease & Miller 
John Reynell 
WiLL^. & And^ Cald- 
well 
W. West 
John Leacock 
Ja White 
John Allen 
George Glontworth 
William Pusey 
Joseph King 
W^. & Sam\ Corry 
THO^ Paschall 
John Cottringer 
W^. Ball 
W" Moore 
Clement Biddle 
Jacob Duche 
Joseph Richardson 



V Turner Jun 

Jn° & Lamb Cadwalader 

Jona: Browne 

Will: Humphreys 

Jn°. Wharton 

Godfrey Laycock 

Charles Stedman for 
Self & Brother 

Benj"" Armitage Jun 

RoB^. Wilson 

Sam"- Ormes 

Isaac Wikoff 

Ann Pearson 

John Baldwin 

Benj"". Kendall 

W^. Hodge 

John Fullerton 

James Stuart 

James Searle 

Abra Bickley 

Ja^ Maccubbin 

Tho^ Cadwalader 

James Tilghman 

W. Bryan 

Her^ Courtenay 

JN^ Moore 

John Byrn 

Tho Robinson 

Christopher Mar- 
shall & Sons 

Benja Marshall 

Abel James signs for 
Jonathan Zane by 
his desire. 



J 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



39 



Sam: Pleasant 
Thomas Savadge 
W^. Wilson 
Benj"" Harbeson 
Benjamin Chew 
David Franks 
JN^ White 
John Flanagan 
Ben: Booth 
Stephen Shewell 
Jn°. & Tho" Phillips 
Lathim & Jackson 
Charles Wharton 
Alex. Lunan 
John Heaton 
Charles Batho 

RlCH°. BUDDEN 

John Dickinson 
Philn: Dickinson 
Will"*. Logan 
John Boyle 
RoB^ Harris 
Joseph Trotter 
Geo: Morrison 
E. Milne 
CoRN^ Bradford 
Woodham & Young 

WlLL^. I BISON 

Stephen Collins 
John Head 
Jacob Winey 
Jn° Drinker Jun'' 
Sam"- Cheesman 
W Shippen jun'' 



Isaac & Moses) 

Bartram / 
W^. Clampffer 
A Morris Ju^ 
Andreas Brechell 
I Jones for Jones & 

Wall 
Shaw & Sprogell 
Hen'' Harrison 
p sonmans 
John Wilcocks 
John Priest 
Orr Glenholme & C°. 

W NiCHOLLS 

Jos. Morris 
Geo. a. Morris 
Jn°. Wood 
Walter Shu & Son 
Jn° Kearsley jr 
Murray & Blair 
Geo Davis 
WisHART & Edwards 
JA^ Alexander 
Jo^ & Amos Hillborn 
Plun^ Fleeson 
Barnard & Jugiez 
James Claypoole 
Tho^. Charlton 
Isaac Morris Jr 
Peter Howard 
Marcy Gray 
Isr: Pemberton 
Rd Humphreys 
Magdalen Devine 



40 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



John Wallace 
Caleb P'oulke 
RiCH°. Stevens 

W. M'^MURTRIE 

And''' Allen 
Alex'' Smith 
Will". Fisher 
OswELL Eve 
Francis Street 
Ellis Lewis 
Neave & Harman 
Lester Falkner 
Mathias Bush 
Michael Gratz 
Barnard Gratz 
Dan"-. Williams 
HuMPHERY Robinson 
John Bringhurst 
James Hunter 
Bartram & Lennox 
Philip Kinsey 
Daniel Wister 
Henry Keppele Senior 



John Wister 
Moses Mordeca his mark 
John Kidd 
Thomas Carpenter 
David M'^murtrie 
RoB^. Hardie 
James Wallace 
James Fullton 
Hugh Bowe 
Charles Meredith 
John Clayton 
Jn°. Relfe 
Stewart Duncan & C°. 

M^HeILE & TOLBERT 

Jos Redman 

Sam'- Mifflin for ) 

Phenias Bond / 
Vincent Lookermary 

& Son 
William Turner 
Tho Lightfoot 
Tho. Mifflin" 



Advertisement of Willing and Morris" 
"The ship TYGER, George Johnston com- 
mander, is just arrived from Cowes and Rot- 
terdan with 350 freights of PALATINES, All 
in good health ; 



Pennsylvania Journal. No. 1511. Nov. 21, 1771, page 3. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 4I 

"Their passages are to be paid to Willing 
and Morris, and the ship rides at anchor in 
the river Delaware, near to their wharf. 

"The baggage of some of the Palatines that 
came in the Minerva, Captain Arnot, is brought 
over in this ship, and the owners are desired 
to apply as above; there are some charges on 
its coming down from Germany to Holland, 
which must be paid to Willing and Morris be- 
fore said baggage is delivered." 

Thomas Willing to Mr. Inglis.^** 

"Phil^. Aug''. 7, 1773 
"Dear Sir: 

"Coll° Byrd tells me he designs to send me 
up a parcell of wheat at such time the next 
fall, as the prospect may be the most encour- 
aging — I want much to get him & myself dis- 
charged from our bond to M^ Watts, & wou'd 
do everything I cou'd, to get this effected; but 
as I wish to do this, with as little loss to him 
as possible; or rather wou'd procure him every 
Advantage; I must beg of you to give him y' 
best advice & assistance. The first you'l be 

^^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 



42 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

able to do from the constant information you'l 
receive from hence of the state of our Market, 
& the latter by geting him a Vessell whenever 
it's best, on cheaper terms than he can do I 
have wrote him to this effect, & assured him y* 
you will readily do both, & I flatter myself I am 
not mistaken, you'l much oblige me by being 
instrumental in this work, on this occasion, as 
there is no one thing I wish more, than to get 
this Old Affair w*^ M^ Watts settled. 

"I shall probably pay off ab* £300- of this 
debt in a few days, & draw on CoP Byrd 
in y"" fav"" for the Amo* pay*^ at y"" October 
Court, at w*" time he assures me, he will pay 
my bill without delay. I must put myself to 
some inconvenience by lying out of my Money, 
& shall give you some unproffitable trouble; 
but I know you'l be good enough to excuse 
"Y^ friend & hum Serv* 



Tho^. Willing 



pray make my Compliments 
to y"" brother George if still 
with you — 

"Mr. Inglis — " 



willing letters and papers. 43 

Advertisement of Willing and Morris 
Company ^^ 
**Just imported by Willing, Morris, and Co. 
A Quantity of Dryed Hydes, superior in qual- 
ity to any before imported into North- America, 
and will be sold for cash or a short credit." 

Thomas Willing to General Frederick 
Haldimand.^^ 

"Philadelphia, September 2oth, 1774. 

"***My brother James intends for the Miss- 
issippi, but will I dare say do himself the 
pleasure to see you before his departure. I 
wish the situation of Public affairs had per- 
mitted you to have visited us here this time. 
If you are to be delayed until our distractions 
are settled, I fear from present appearences, 
it will be much too long; repeated injuries on 
the one side, and retorted Insults on the other, 
will probably keep alive the Coal which must 
consume the vitals of both countrys. I am no 
great Politician but as an American I both 
See and feel the chains which are prepared for 

*^ Pennsylvania Packet. No. 137 June 6, 1774, page 4. 
^^ The Pennsylvania Magazine: Volume VL, 1882, page 366. 



44 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

me. I honor & glory in the reputation of 
the mother country and I love my own 
whose liberties and interest are most cruelly 
and unjustly attack'd. Some humiliation on 
their part and Some concessions on Ours seems 
to me the only proper and probable way, of 
settling the unhappy dispute; they are con- 
tending for shadows, we for substantial, which 
I hope to God will never be risted from us, 
by the Iron hand of Power; You'l excuse a 
friend, who having all at stake speaks in the 
sincerity of his heart and wishes well to both 
countries****" 

Concerning the Appointment of Thomas 

Willing to the Supreme Court of the 

Province.^^ 

"The Honorable John Penn Esquire Governor 
& Commander in Chief of the Province of 
Pennsylvania & Counties of New Castle, Kent 
& Sussex on Delaware. 

^^ Penn — Physick Papers. Volume of warrents to affix the Great 
Seal, XV 1769 — 1776, page 80, in the Historical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania. Thomas Willing was first appointed a Justice of the Supreme 
Court of the Province of Pennsylvania in 1767. He continued to 
serve in that office until August, 1776. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 45 

"To Edmund Physick Keeper of the Great 
Seal of the said Province Esquire Greeting 

"These are to authorize & require You to 
affix the said Seal to a Commission tested by 
me and bearing even date herewith appoint- 
ing Thomas Willing Esquire Third Justice of 
the Supreme Court of the said Province, and 
for so doing this shall be your Warrant. 

"Given under my Hand & the Lesser Seal of 
the said Province at Philadelphia the twenty 
second Day of September in the Year of our 
Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 

"John Penn" 

Thomas Willing to Robert Morris. ^° 

"Phil^ Jan'' 8th, 1777. 
"Dear Sir 

"I have but a moment before M"^^ Barry's 
departure to tell you that I rec'd your's of 
the 22"^ Ult° safe together with the others which 
accompanied it they came to hand only yester- 
day & shall be copied & sent forward as soon 
as possible sorry I am for the occasion of 

^^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



46 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

them but sincerely hope y* Matters will turn 
out in the end rather better than you appre- 
hend. The Person in question has been Vi- 
cious; he may nevertheless have been honest, 
if a Man who neglects his trust, can be said 
to be so — if he has meddled with the Cap- 
ital funds without applying the Money pro- 
perly it looks 111 & he must be without ex- 
cuse — time alone can develop the truth & set 
our Minds at ease — I approve of all you pro- 
pose doing with whatever concerns my Interest 
— I know it is not only safe under your care, 
but am quite satisfied that it will be man- 
aged to the best advantage. 

"Give my love to M^ Morris & all y' little 
Ones. Tell her M^^ White set off for Maryl*^ 
last (S)aturday accompanied by Isaac Penrose, 
She was well & hav* had fine Weather I hope 
she'l get safe to her family. R. W. rec'd. the 
£300 — he has sold off my Grain &c for Paper 
Money, & now M"" James refuses to take 
it in discharge of my bond — this is hard treat- 
ment — R. W. has returned the order I men- 
tion'd for £100. to have sent him on you 
the 14th Ult" & I've cancell'd it— he'l have 
more than will be of any use to me, as those 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 47 

People on't receive my debts in Paper Money. 
I hope your two horses got safe up — M" 
Chew is return'd, She's in love with them — 
I hope you'l get 5 or 6oo£ for them at least. 
*'I am my dear Sir with truth & affection 
"Y"^ sincere friend 

Tho^ Willing. 

Exch"^ at par 

RoB^ Morris Esq." 

"Superscription — Roh^ Morris Esq'' 
"at Manheim 

"Lancaster County" 

Thomas Willing to Robert Morris Esq. 
AT Lancaster.^' 

"Phil'' Oc'' ist 1777. 
"Dear Sir, 

"This will be forwarded to you by a friend 
who tells me he can send it with safety — the 
business is to let you know the very disa- 
greeable intelligence I have had from T. Cox 
& G. Barclay, respect^ the shock given to our 
Credit by our former friends in Europe — who 

^' Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



48 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

have protested our Drafts to a very great 
amount, these gentlemen say, they heard in 
N. York, that our return'd bills, amounted to 
3000o£ Ster^ that they were chiefly in the 
hands of H. Wallace and M^ Foliot— M' T. 
Coxe says y* Sam Kemble told him, he heard 
in London last Fall, y* our bills were protested 
to the amo^ of £36000 — this is a shock, I 
was not prepared for, by you, or any the 
least Suspicion of my own, & you must know, 
how horrid & distressing my feelings must 
be on the occasion — to have such a demand 
come upon me unprepared as I am to satisfy 
it, is terrible indeed — ruin & a Gaol, stare me 
in the face — If the news is true, I fear I shall 
sink under it — you alone can calm my fears 
if its false, or put me in a Way to extricate 
myself if you believe its true. I therefore 
conjure you by all the ties of friendship to 
write me fully on this head directly — let me 
know what part I can Act when these demands 
appear, tell me where we have Effects to sat- 
isfy them, & what has been the Cause of this 
unexpected and terrible stroke. A letter sent 
down to R. W. in Haverford township, Chester 
County near the Fox Chase — can be sent in 
perhaps privately — or if discovered no harm 
can happen, if you confine yourself to this 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 49 

private business — If M"" Swanwicks Messenger 
comes back it may come under Cover to him — 

"We are all well under my roof, & so is M" 
White too — God bless & preserve you, I wish 
your happiness & hope you'l save mine, all in 
your power, & as soon as you can — my anxi- 
ety & distress will be great untill I hear from 
you — do send down y"" letter to R. W. directly — 

"I am affectionately y'■^ 

"T. W. 
"M'' Morris 

"Sometimes I flatter myself that the Sum is 
greatly exaggerated, perhaps by Envy or Mal- 
ice, or to answer some other purpose but a 
larger sum I fear is really there, than I have 
wherewith to pay off — you know my feelings, 
& I am sure will do the best you can for me — 
I can't live under such a load." 

Thomas Willing to Robert Morris^^ 

"Phil^ Oct'' 13TH, 1777. 
"My Dear Sir 

"This letter I hope will be deliver'd you by 
our good friend John Brown, whose kind dis- 
position to serve Us has induced him to under- 
take this journey, he will tell you the great 

^^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



50 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

distress & anxiety I have suffered in conse- 
quence of the report which prevailed respecting 
our protested bills of Exchange. 

"When I wrote you the 2^ Inst, by T. Mur- 
dock I was told they amounted to at least 
£30000 Ster^, but by a conversation I have 
since had with Dan* Roberts M"" Warren & 
some others, I believe the Sum is by no means 
so large, & y* the report was calculated only 
to injure the Credit of our house, W" the Genf" 
of the Army tho* was made subservient to 
the American Cause. However, I have reason 
to think there is a considerable Sum coming 
here; perhaps 7, or 8ooo£ D. Roberts bro* 
me one draft of 4*^ Sept' 1775 on W. Baynes 
& C° for £700— in fav' of I & P. Wickoff. 
Protested in Jan^ 1776 y* was the 2^ bill, & 
he said the first had been sent out long 
ago, but he supposed was detained at N. York 
together with above 200 of their other letters, 
all w*' are now coming in the fleet; & that he 
tho* there was only 4 or 5 other bills of our 
Drafts amongst them. T. Cox has got one 
for £120 drawn by James Jones Wilmer on 
Wm Carmichael & indors'd by W" Geddes, 
Tho^ Ringold & W. M. & Co. This is sent 
by M*" Yeates to be recovered. No other has 
yet appeared, but I fear that when the fleet 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 5 1 

comes up, many more will be presented to me 
by my last you will have seen my apprehen- 
sion's on this Subject & how desirous I am 
to be prepared to acquit ourselves with repu- 
tation. You will know I can do this only 
through your means, & with your best assist- 
ance, therefore I beg of you to let me know 
what steps I shall take, tell me what you know 
of the matter, what funds we can Use at pres- 
ent, & what prospect you have of providing 
against the whole extent of this unexpected 
demand. 

"I have rec'd only one letter to the house, 
w'' I now send you inclos'd from B. C. Bewicke — 

"I had yesterday the pleasure of seeing CoP 
Patterson, he has assured me y* he will in- 
terest himself to serve me in the recovery of 
what letters we have in L*^ Howe's hands 
covering bills return 'd to Us. he is really a 
polite well bred Man, & did me the honor 
of a visit — he is all in all at Court, & a better 
choice, coul'd not have been made; for what- 
ever depends on humanity & benevolence to- 
ward the whole human race, may be expected 
from his well known Character, in short he 
is a Man of honor & an honest worthy Man — 



52 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

I have many other things to tell you but dare 
go no further at present — whatever respects 
your own affairs, and the disposition I have 
made of them, M' Brown will inform you, & 
you must rely entirely on what he says on 
that subject. 

"I lament from my Soul this Cruel separation 
from the Man I love, & when I think of y"" 
banishment from that stage on which you have 
trod with such unrival'd reputation, I feel an 
Anguish not to be express'd — I can say no 
more! we cannot, must not part forever — this 
is your proper scene, & here we must one day 
meet again. God grant it may be soon — re- 
member me to Col° Harrison — I bear him 
much good will — remember me to Molly & 
y' Children. I wish them health & Safety — 
We are all well here — Adieu! attend to the 
advice of your friend & take care of your health 
— I am y" 

"THo^ Willing." 
Superscription — ' 

"To 

''The Hon''' Robert Morris Esq\ 
"Member of Congress." 



willing letters and papers. 53 

Thomas Willing to Robert Morris." 
The "Tom" mentioned in this letter was not 
the son of Thomas WilHng; Thomas Mayne 
Willing, who was born the 15th of April, 1767, 
was, therefore, only ten years of age when this 
letter was written, and at school in Philadelphia 
at the time. 

"Philad^ Nov"" ^° 1777. 
"My Dear Sir 

"I heartily thank you for the trouble you took 
in stating to me so fully & particularly the 
situation of our Protested bills as far as it 
appeared to you to be within the bounds of 
probability; and as far as I yet know with 
any degree of certainty you may be right 
enough, tho' if there is even to the amo* you 
mention'd & y' brother does not take them 
up, I fear I shall soon be made very uneasy 
here. 

"Our friend M' Brown having some business 
in the Country has got a Pass to carry him 
out of Town & has promised me either to send 
you this or to give it into your own hands — 
I shall therefore make Use of the opportunity, 

'■'^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters (Balch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



54 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

to tell you that Mess""^ Herries & C° have 
sent out a M' Patterson, as 

their Agent to transact some business for them 
to the Southward, in the Tobacco Way; & 
also to call upon Us, for the ballance due them 
on Acco* Curr* which I now inclose Amo*" 
£7004.10.1 Sterling, but he is content to wait 
for the Issue of the Dependencies mention' d 
on the Credit Side of the Account amount^ 
to £4100 Ster^ altho' he say's S*" Rob'' Herries 
dont expect any thing like this sum from them 
^As to the remain^ ball^ of £2904.10.1 w*" 
Interest M"^ Patterson has press 'd me much 
to pay him (torn)ying there is not the least 
expectation that General Lee's bills for £3000 
will ever be paid — M"^ Garton has no effects 
in his hands to pay E'm with, Muir & Atkin- 
son were not disposed to enable him to take 
them up — in short he believes they had received 
hints from the Administration to discredit M' 
Lee, or that they tho* to please Adminis- 
tration by doing so; he utterly denies that 
S" Robert had acted under any such influence, 
when he protested our bills; that his doing 
so arose only from the state of his own funds, 
& the very large advance he was already under 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 55 

—Patterson say's he has at N. York the Sales 
of all the Tobacco we were concern'd in; that 
our part of the net proceeds were carried to 
our Credit in the Account rendered August 
20th, 1776 — & so was our share of the Ship 
Commerce — I mention these matters not know- 
ing whether you ever receiv'd their former 
Account; & if not, that you might not depend 
on these matters without foundation — let me 
beg of you to send me bills, and those you can 
depend upon, on Order's to y" brother to pay 
this demand off directly in deed my good friend 
the accounts which M' Patterson has given 
me of Tom's behaviour in London, leads me 
to believe he has injured Us with our friends 
there; his Dissipation, extravagance & Total 
Neglect of them, & of all business, was a poor 
return for the Confidence & Credit given him — 
I fear he is not so well reclaim'd from his 
folly's as you seem to think, & as he ought 
to be in order to make Us safe under so large 
a trust as is reposed in him. God grant he 
may now attend to the bringing all our affairs 
to a conclusion; if he does not, or squanders 
the Substance in his hands, we shall be dis- 
graced, and suffer too — he run thro. £1000, 



56 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

in London in 3 weeks & never wou'd see M^ 
Herries, or several others of our Mercantile 
friends — & when going off, he took up i5o£ 
more from M' Motteaux to carry him clear — 
you'l excuse me for mentioning these things but 
they are too serious for you not to know them, 
pray tell me how the point stands with re- 
spect to M' Gavin Elliot, & the bill he had 
assumed to pay; if that bill was actually with- 
drawn after you had advised him of it you 
had best order it to be paid to Herries & Co. 
directly, & then provide for the remainder — 
This is a most importunate Scoh & I must 
satisfy him directly. He wants to go away 
to N. York, & waits only for a return from 
you to this Letter — ^he tells me y* he heard 
in New York, that we owed H. Wallace, or 
that he had demands upon Us to £22,000 
St^ — pray had we ever any dealings with that 
Man for half that Sum — I think not & think 
too that M' Wallace shou'd have contradicted 
the report which he well knew to prevail there 
& that it was false — we have been 111 used by 
some other's in that City besides him & Cruel- 
ly used too. I hope you'l be able to tell some 
folks so, face to face one day or other. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 57 

"The Packet sail'd last week for England 
& I sent y' letters to Tom under M" D. 
Robert's Cover who behaved well in readily 
send^ back the bill for £700 St^ on W" Baynes 
& C°. I also wrote to Tom to pay Mess" 
Spiers French & C*" & also the bill in the 
hands of Mildred & Roberts belonging to M' 
West & in short to Pay off all others' which 
he cou'd hear of & to proceed to settle & ad- 
just all accounts v/ith all possible dispatch — 
I hope he will comply with our request, 
tho* he never did answer the letter wrote 
him by Mess"' Herries & C*' on the nth of 
March by w^ he saw how Affairs stood with 
E'm, M'. Patterson gave me Coppy of y* 
Letter in Order to give me some Idea of the 
State of our foreign Dependencies, & I now 
send it to you for the like purpose — he said 
it was more particular than he cou'd have 
been upon Memory alone — but he thinks there 
is little certainty as to any part except what 
is in the hands of their own house at Barce- 
lona ab* £2000 — If so, our fate is hard indeed. 

"I have just heard that another Packet will 
soon go off for Eng'^ therefore I have earnest- 
ly requested M"" Brown to carry up this letter 



53 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

to you himself & to wait your answer & to 
bring down any Letters you may have occasion 
to write to your brother or any other's. Pray 
write Tom in such terms, as will force an im- 
mediate attention & tell him as I have done 
already to retain the proceeds of the (torn) 
digo &c from the River Mississippi; & not 
to lodge more of our Property in that quarter. 
I dislike Mr. Pollock's Conduct altogether & 
dont wish to be involved any further with 
him — I told you that T. Coxe had shown me a 
bill for £120 belong^ to M"" Yeatis — we were 
the last endorsers of that bill will you take 
it up & call on M' Ringold's Executors for 
repayment? If you conclude to do so, you'l 
send down the bill by M*" Brown for Prin- 
cipal & Damage & I'll send you up the old 
bill by the next opportunity. 

"I was so much a stranger to y"" transac- 
tion with Gen^ Lee y* I don't know how you 
were circumstanced as to the above £3000; 
did you pay him for it, or was it only drawn 
to get his money out of those People's hands? 
I flatter myself it was for the latter purpose — 
I also hope the 1000 in M' Elliots possession 
may not have been drawn for, & y* it will 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 59 

be at your disposal still. I call'd on M"" 
White & told her what you said about her 
going up to Manheim, & offer'd her any as- 
sistance in my Power, & you may depend she 
shall share in my Purse as far as her Neces- 
sity's may require & the state of my finances 
will allow — She is very well at present & so 
are all other of y"" friends here. Under the 
present prospect of such a Number of our 
bills coming back Protested, I shall almost 
fear to make use of the Credits left with me, 
either on France or Holland. You may be as- 
sured the report has been spread far & near 
& with design to stab Us to the Vitals in the 
Mercantile World. Curse on the Malice of 
those who have invented it, or those who with 
bad designs have spread it. I hope like the 
Viper in the Fable, they'l find yet a File to 
Knaw, which may break their Teeth. The 
time may again come, when some of them may 
court our favours. 

"Adieu my friend! Keep up your Spirits; your 
character & good Conduct, will still carry you 
through every present difficulty — you have 
left many friends behind you, who earnestly 
wish y"" happiness — many wou'd now send 



60 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

you their remembrances did they know of my 
writing — None of E'm talk oftener of you, 
or wishes you better than my Httle Compan- 
ion; her Spirits are good, her attachment 
few but warm & very sincere; your (torn) 
her particular favorite, & she alway's speaks of you 
with a warmth & sincerity, y* gives me pleasure — 
She thanks you for yotu kind remembrance of her 
— how does y' little boy? I hope his Side is 
quite well — My boys leg has healed up & he's in 
good health I am told. After such an instance don't 
despair of yours, tho' it may not be well yet. 

"Francis came up to Luke Norris's Rope 
Walk last friday in a flag of truce for a Nurse 
& the Good Woman — both went off with him & I 
hope my Sister is well in her bed by this time — he 
told me he had heard you were well lately. 

"God bless you; it's late & my paper is near- 
ly out. I hope to God M' Brown will not be 
interrupted on the road; this is important business 
to Us & I hope no one will be so cruel to you or to 
me as to stop him — I am with true affection yours 

Tho^ Willing 
"M^ Morris." 
Superscription 

"To 
''The Hon''' Robert Morris Esq' 
"Member of Congress 
"By John Brown" 



I 



willing letters and papers. 6 1 

Thomas Willing to Robert Morris.^* 

"Phil^ Feb\ 6, 1778. 

''Dear Sir 

"I rec'd y" of the lo'^ Ult'' by Philip & 
am surprised you had not then got mine by 
Barry in w^ I told you I had rec'd y"" letter 
of the 22"^ Dece'" together with all those under 
the same Cover. I felt most sensibly for the 
unhappy Youth who was the Chief cause of 
y"" writing those letters, & hope we shall not 
find things turn out quite so bad as they ap- 
pear at present — he has ruined himself, & I 
dare say he has hurt Us, both in our Pockets 
& reputation in some degree; but I cant be- 
lieve him so wicked as to have taken up all 
our Money, & not to have paid any of 
our debts out of it. I am however pleased to 
hear y* you had forwarded Copy's, as those 
you sent me have not yet got out of this River 
— I have got Coppy's, & will send E'm by 
the very next Convey^ W™ McKensie declin'd 
going to Eng*^ to join his Mas^ I therefore 
gave the letters to a private hand to be de- 
liver'd to Mess. Herries & Co. to whom the 
Vessell belonged. She was formerly the Com- 

^* Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



62 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

merce. As I've not been pressed I have not 
yet drawn any bills & will decline it untill 
I can send away the Coppy's of y' letters. 
No other bills have come here beside those you 
have been told off, & I hope T. M. has taken 
some of them up himself, inclos'd I send you 
two letters from Herries & C° with their A/G* 
antecedent to that I before sent you. These 
are all the Act^ I have ever seen from them, 
Altho' M' P. tells me there are Ac*' of Sales 
&c; in N. York w^ he'l let me have when 
he can, his behaviour is very Civil — ^the other 
genf" mention'd by S"" Robt are not yet come 
here — & I hope before they do y* the ball* 
will have been lessened by further remittances 
from Barcelona — M"" P. tells me the London 
house had drawn on some of our other foreign 
Correspondents for £1500 St^ but he don't 
know the fate of their bills he say's — I hope 
the remainder of the ball* will also be soon 
in their hands & then those fears w^ seem 
to have possessed them will subside — I believe 
they tho* we were going to the Devil head- 
long, 'twill be a happy day to me, when I 
hear all those Gentry are fully paid; & y* 
my peace may never again be so disturb 'd as 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 63 

it has been in my fervent prayer. Your peace 
was more secure than mine, as you knew the 
reports to be false— I tho' E'm so, but was 
too much in the dark to be quite easy — T. 
•Penrose desires to know what the Ship Molly 
sold for — by whom she was sold, & where his 
part the Value was lodged — he says Green's 
Ship must have been sold long ago, but he 
has now wrote his friend to have it done, if 
it has been delayed — I've wrote I. B. Esq*" 
to the same effect, & gave the like advice re- 
spect^ Robertson's property — I've directed 
the house in Lisbon to remit to I. B. Esq' 
all that remains in their hands & I shall draw 
on him when necessary, as I propose to lodge 
any balP I have in his hands— tell me if you 
think I am prudent in so doing— I hope the 
7oo£ bill on't return again here — if it come's 
to ]rf Ross's knowledge perhaps he'l stop it, 
if T. M. should not. 

"Jos. Pemberton tells me he had the 75o£ 
ready to make you the first paym* for the 
Meadow at the time due, & want's to hear 
from you what's to be done in that matter- 
he has an Article of agreem* but no deed he 
say's— he's willing to fulfill the bargin but the 



64 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

paym* must be in the Money then Current 
or else a considerable abatement is expected. 

"D. Smith says he has a private Ac* ags* 
you of ab* £ioo besides an order of M"^ Moy- 
lan's of £40 ab* a Negroe — these being allow'd 
him he'l pay me the ball* but as he is not 
commonly in a hurry to pay, perhaps you'l 
have time to tell me y"" mind on this subject. 
Any Accounts you have, to receive ballances 
from People here, will be welcome to me, pro- 
vided they are person's you think have honor 
to pay me when they are able. 

"Mr'. Moor, formerly Sally Lloyd, call'd on 
me to know if I had the deed of settlement 
made in trust to the Rev*^ M"" Peters & my- 
self at the time of her Marriage, & to w*' you 
are a Witness I believe— I have not got it — 
you are therefore desired to get it from M*" 
Rich*^ Peters, nephew & Executor to the de- 
ceased, Doct. Peters — get it recorded & then 
send down to me the original — She is much 
distress 'd ab* it & I wish you'd please to 
attend to this Matter, the worthy husband 
notwithstanding. 

"I. Himiphries call'd on me at due time for 
payment of Dr. Searles bill for £120 2.8 Ster* 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 65 

& as I've not heard from you, it's under pro- 
test — ^however he can't find the Man who left 
it with him & he tells me he had from him 
8 other bills all in like situation, Protested — 
I believe it will be kept here untill I hear 
from you on the subject. 

"I wish you'd give an answer to Jos. Gamble's 
demand of £ioo — ^A/on Ac* settled long 
ago he say's with W. & M. he say's also he 
has a demand ag^*" you & M' Nesbit of ab* 
£200 — I am very sorry to hear of M'' Nes- 
bits Illness, but hope he soon got better — 
pray give my Compliments & good wishes 
to him — John Allen died the 2^ Inst, of a Ner- 
vous fever — he has left a Widdow & two little 
boys — Poor Rob* Pitchy died a few weeks 
ago, he has left 3 Children & but little I 
believe to support them. 

"I am sorry for the trouble given you by 
Hugh he came here in Compy with Philip — 
two rascals together — I believe the latter to 
be so, from his behaviour ab* the letter he 
bro* down — & the former because you think 
him such — tell M*" Hogeland, his sister is in 
town; She got his letter from my own hands, 
& She is very well. 



66 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"Tell M". Morris y* her Mother set out for 
Maryland under the Care of Isaac Penrose — 
Ive heard nothing of her since. 

"I've settled Accounts with John Green to 
the 1st of January & rec'd the ball* of fre* 
&c. due his Owner M' Pollock £184 Curr^— 
his Vessell is in such a trim that 'twill take 
double this Sum to fitt her out again there- 
fore he seems to wish to have her sold; I have 
advised him to it, if he can get her value or 
near it, & I have some reason to believe this 
may be done in a few Weeks — I shall write 
C. W. what you say ab* his bills, 'twill give 
him great comfort as it has done me to hear 
it — I hope it may prevent him from coming 
here at present which I suppose will not be 
very convenient for him to do — R. W. has 
rec'd Money enough to pay off any demands 
he can have on my Ac*. You will therefore 
draw on him for the Money you sent him 
down if you can conveniently do it, or He 
tell him to send it back again to you, if he 
has a good Convey* I have no Use for it there, 
& therefore need not trespass on you for it. 
Feby 12th. 

"Two days ago I was call'd upon by T. Coxe 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 67 

w'^ a draft of T. Tilghman's in fav' of M'' 
Francis dated ist Aug'* 1776 on W. M. & 
C° to pay her what Money she may want 
out of the Effects of F. & Tilghman under 
y"" Care — I told him I knew nothing ab* those 
affairs, had never any thing to do with them, 
& had it not in my power to pay an3rthing — 
that I suppos'd you had taken away their 
books &c. w^ y' own, and wou'd pay or settle 
w*" M' Tilghman, & pay him the kind of Money 
you had receiv'd for him in his absence — 
this shows you the necessity of settling such 
matters as soon as you can, or else such de- 
mands will be made on me to be paid in hard 
money continually — this will be the case in 
Wilson's & Gibb's affair perhaps — 

"Yesterday I got from M"" Patterson a bundle 
of Tobacco & other Sales, the Ship Commerce's 
papers, & a blank set of Power's for you to 
execute relative to Lee's Bills &c. M' Tod has 
undertaken to send E'm by a very safe hand to 
Potts Grove under care of his brother there, 
or Else to M"" John Philips, to be by one of 
E'm send up to you — 'twill probably be to 
this bro' who'l leave E'm w^ M". Slough at 
Lancaster himself — Alex"" Tod say's y' Marine 



68 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Committee owe him £1700 — he wishes it may 
be p*^ to his brother, & hopes for your friend- 
ship to procure the payment — It's a large sum 
of Money to him, & he is not a little anxious 
ab* it, it's therefore at his desire I now men- 
tion it to you — I expected you'd have got 
at least 200 £ each for your horses, or I 
might perhaps better have sold E'm for you 
here, where they were so well known that a 
good price might have been got for them — 

"I am requested to mention to you the Case 
of my late Neighbor M' Chew — he is almost 
distracted at his separation from his family — 
'tis late in the day for him to be thus sepa- 
rated from them, time becomes precious to a 
Man at his year's, & he has a very large fam- 
ily, and many of them small Children — he's 
anxious to be permitted to return on his Par- 
ole if such a thing can be accomplish 'd let 
the terms be what they may, if he accepts 
them, I'm sure his honor may be relyed upon 
for a faithfull compliance. If anything can 
be done for him, I know y' humanity can 
only require a hint to prompt you to do it — 
he has desired I shou'd mention it to you, 8c pro- 
pos'd to write to you on the Subject himself — 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 69 

"By a letter from our fr"^ R. Penn to Francis 
w^ is in my hands open — I find he and the 
women were all well in Oct"" he has got a 
fine girl & M'^ Penn like to do well — his Son 
is a lusty fellow he say's. I've not heard from 
Francis these two months his family are re- 
mov'd Ten miles into the Country from the 
River — Side — They are obliged for y' friendly 
invitation & shall know the Offer you make 
whenever I can see, or tell E'm of it — If you 
have a safe opportunity, you may send me 
any Ac*' agst People here — such as I think 
will, & can pay, lie try to recover. I shall 
send the Coppy's of my letters ot Eng*^ in 
a few days, & when I've given them a Month 
Grace, He venture to pass my bills to take up 
those '>y^ are here now, (they have not yet 
increased thank God), and then too He direct 
M^ Burn to take up Cruikshank's bill — Ive 
wrote Battiere & Co. to take up Wickoff's 
if neither Baynes & C° or T. M. have done 
it for I wou'd not on any terms have it out 
here again after the polite behaviour of D. 
Roberts in send^ it home again — If Battiere 
& C° pay it & I find T. M. has left funds— 
I can then order them payment of so much 



70 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

from those funds wherever they may be found — 
I am ever most truly & affectionately y"" friend 

••Tho^ Willing." 

Thomas Willing to Robert Morris." 
"Phil^ April 3^ 1778. 
"My Dear Sir 

"This will be deliver 'd you by y' Old friend 
Gen^ Lee, together with several letters I have 
rec'd addressed to our late house; some of E'm 
contain Accounts you ought to see — I wrote 
you the 20th Ult° under cover of R. S. to his 
Son John — I then sent you D. Smith's Ac* 
& told you I had examined his books; the 
claim he makes ag'* you, is £101.5.9 & wants 
to play off ag^* the remain^ ball^ of £83 — 
his demand ag'* Mr. Hancock — ^this I refused 
to allow, because I never had anything to do 
with M'. Hancock, & was not authorized to 
pay or settle his debts — here or any where 
Else — I doubt my getting anything from Smith 
speedily but yet will try hard for it — Dugan 
oferr'd me paper of w^ I have plenty now by 
me that wont now pass but cant pay in any- 

^^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 7 1 

thing else — Rhoads says he has a demand ag^* 
you to the full amo* of my claim — This is for 
taxes & repairs at y"" Meadows on League Island 
— M" Biddle has promis'd payment — Duchemin is 
not able to pay — he's a bad Man & y* debt will 
be lost — Fritz has long left town — John Duffield 
has not the cash at present — & H. Lisle says 
the same thing but will pay when able — Mark 
Freeman proves the dem*^ to be a mistake — 
22^ April /75 hep"^ Hogeland £791.11 the 
28th April he rec'd bills £1550 — on the 6th 
May he deliver' d up the rec^ for the first paym*. 
& paying the ball^ of the 1550 — he took Hoge- 
lands rec'^ for the whole sum in this last paym* 
M"^ Hogeland made the mistake of 40/ hav^ 
actually rec'd 758.9/ instead of the sum en- 
tered. Jno. Hart is not here & M"" Knowles 
in Gaol — the others Ive not yet seen — As to 
Major Hay I'm told he is in the fleet Prison 
at home — M. Batt is at Halifax. I expect very 
little from either. Captain Chapman is not here or 

Ide pay him — ^As to the two M"^ H n's I believe 

they'l pay me nothing if they can put me off. 

"I have p*^ Abby Willing £28.16/ Int^ due 
her to 1st Sep* last — I have p'^ M' Green in 
full on Ac* O. P. affairs £109.17.6 — 



72 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"You'l give me Credit for these Sums, & 
charge me for those mentioned in my last — 
Dr. Searle's bill is still here — cant you settle 
it with Mr. Searle, & send me down his order 
to Vandam to deliver up the bill. Cha^ Whar- {. 
ton has got our bill on H. & C°. fav' Outh 
out & Demunx £150 & Isaac Wharton a certified 
Copy of the protest on the bill Fountain Elwin £300 
— I've promis'd payment to both by next Packet 
at w^ time He pay off Yeate's bill too. 

"Let me know what's due to me from Morris 
& Inglis of Jan^ the latter is just got back 
there from Eng"^ & I should like to get what's 
due to me thence, & as you have my Accounts 
in y' books I am at a loss. And"^ McGlone 
is out of his Senses & little able to pay — She 
told me you had a Mortgage how is that Mat- 
ter? If you have not, this debt is lost — April 
4th. 

"My letters are a sort of Diary — therefore 
very unconnected but as I never write but 
on mere business, its no matter — 

"Let me know if you rec'd mine of 20th March 
with Smith's Ac*^ & when you have Credited 
him for his dem'^ ag^^ you send me down his 
A''- or he'l keep me Months out of the ball* 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 73 

under pretense of get^ it drawn out again; 
he is an ungratefull— to you you've overlook'd 
what I wrote you ab' Jos. Pemberton in 
Feb^ last — after what you wrote me of a balP 
due from Bewicke's I was surprised to see their 
Ac' C* now sent you— I see they p"^ a bill of 
Cruickshanks looo of 14th Sept' 1775, had 
he two such bills one on Herries and one on 
Em too? I've not heard from Spiers & C° 
or of any other bills but those I've told you 
off— If you get any news of Tom's hav^ p^ 
any, pray tell me of it directly— I hope he 
has not abused Us to any great extent. 

"P. Barry used me very 111 & very ungrate- 
fully—he did me great injury, & is too bad a 
Man to deserve y"" protection or fav'. I must 
not explain myself now — I never knew I had 
any concern w^ M' Braxton; he used my Name 
in a letter of his of May 1777, now published 
at New York, & here too — we are also call'd 
Owners of the Sea Nymph, taken & carried 
into N. York, but this I know is false, be- 
cause we never did own such a Vessell, and 
I had no concern in such a Cargoe, as you will 
know — but its injurious to me here to have 
my Name used in this way— I wish I had a 



74 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Pipe of y' best London wine — I'm just out — 
the want of hard Cash, indured me to sell 
off all I had, as I told you before, & I begin 
to count the bottle as its drawn — I wish for 
nothing on Earth so much, as to see you here, 
before the last I have goe's — God bless you 
my dear friend — ^we are not surely parted 
forever — I sent you part of my private stock 
of garden seeds; none cou'd be bo* — M" Wood 
carried part, & betsy to Grame Park also — 
I now send you a few sugar loaf Cabbage & 
Savoy's & of our friend Nixon's long Cucumbers, 
w^ I'm told he used to admire, some onion, Sal- 
mon redish Seed & some best Cantalope Melon's 
— when you see him, give my Comp*' and the 
same to all those you know I was, or am 
still well with — for I can't forget old acquaint- 
ance; tho' we are in different situations at present. 
I've unbounded Charity for all — but of this no 
more — My heart feels what my Pen can't express. 

"Francis is well, & desires his best wishes, & 
thanks for y' kind invit^ pray tell me what 
route Jemmy took to get home, & whether you 
have heard any thing ab* him since he left you — 

"I Penrose I fear is swamped w^ his fr** T. 
Powell of London, who it's said has failed; 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 75 

& 200o£ St. in the former's debt — Ed. Mayne 
write's in a Stile, w^ looks as tho': he ou't 
be pleased with my ordering him payment of 
only £500 w*" however, lie not exceed untill 
you extend it — God grant we may be once 
clear of all those people, & that the winding 
up our English affairs, may answer y"" sanguine 
expectations, when this is done I hope you'l 
lodge something in Safe hands in some part of 
Europe, but not in France, I never did like 
those people — I've known more of them prove 
rotten, than of any others, w*" the people of 
this place were ever connected with — Holland 
will be more desirable to me — I've a very large 
family about me & flatter myself I shall after 
all find something to feed Em with thro; 
these expensive and very distressing times — 
I doubt neither your friendship, abilities — Honor 
or attention, in whatever concerns me, & draw 
great comfort in knowing that what man can 
do, you will do — 

"My Sister, M'' Powell and Nancy, desire 
their good wishes & best Comp*^ to you & 
all under y"" roof. Adieu I am & ever shall be 
"Most truly & affectionately 
"Y" Tho^ Willing. 



\ 



\ 
\ 



76 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"I wrote to C. W. some time ago — to Morris 
& Ingles also, by M' J. Green. I've a consid- 
erable Sum by me in old Paper rec'd before 
the stagnation, but flatter myself it will be 
again Current here before long — " 

Thomas Willing to Robert Morris.^^ 

"Philad"^ April 27TH, 1778 
"My Dear Sir 

"Yours of the 31st March I rec'd the 19th 
Inst & that of the 29th March reach'd me 
only yesterday — my time to answer them is 
rather short but I shall say all I can; for writ^ 
is something so like talk^ to a friend, that I 
have a pleasure in doing it when you are the 
object of my address — 

"And first of all it's incumbent on me to 
remove any 111 impressions you have rec'd 
respect^ poor Wilson — he never gave me pain 
ab* his Money, by even asking me for it, he 
mentioned it very modestly, & before he heard 
anything of our Bill affairs, & his information 
arose rather out of what I said to him, than 
from the least distrust on his part — he is very 

^^ Volume of Swift and Willitig Letters {Balch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. ']"J 

much Our friend, & shew'd it evidently when 
y* maUcious report came first here — he snub- 
bed several chattering fellows & I'm sure wou'd 
go as great lengths to serve you or me, as 
any Man on Earth — he often spoke of you 
with the greatest respect, & behaved to me 
with attention — & friendship, at a time, when 
such behaviour from an honest man, even in 
his low sphere, cou'd give me comfort & pleas- 
ure — If you can ever serve him, he deserves 
it at y*" hands for his gratitude — hs, to M"" 
Gibbs I believe you have been misinformed — 
he is not in town, nor has he been here — I 
beheve him to be, as you say "A good Man" 
but yet both ought to be paid in proper Cur- 
rency & it's well you wou'd take care of these 
matters, had M' Gibbs been here a prisoner 
I shou'd have paid him apart most chearfully 
— I've deliver'd y^ Messages to M'^ Robertson, 
& M'^ Green they are well — Robertson was 
in Quebec the 24th Oct' last w^ his ship, was 
bound home & to sail in 10 Days — I hope 
you'l soon hear y^ O. P. has paid your Draft 
on him — I wish to be clear of a Man who 
cou'd act so base a part as he did as to poor 
C. W. 



78 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"T. Penrose desires his best good wishes to 
you — ^he is our friend & farr from doubt^ y*" 
ability or inclination to settle all Matters prop- 
erly — I told you before I believe y* he is like 
to suffer w^ T. Powel in London — ^he thinks 
at least 200o£ St^. I observe y"" answer as to 
I. Burn & shall take care not to trespass on 
him or any other man in England — I order'd 
E. B. & Sons to remit him all my Money & 
I've order'd him to pay E. Mayne £500 St^ 
& to take up the bill in spiers French & Co' 
hands if not done by T. M. — & if he has not 
funds I've desir'd Mayne & Spiers to call on 
Battier & C° the letters are yet in this River 
— I've not yet drawn any bills on London 
except one for a single £100 St^ on Pringle 
& Cheap for a particular purpose & y* is not 
gone out of my hands. Next month I shall 
have bills on E'm for ab* 8oo£ St^ & have 
advised them & Battier of it, when I see Rick- 
ets & I Pemberton shall let you know what 
they say — M" Moor shall know what you say 
ab* her Deeds; at present she is at her house 
in the Country — As to poor Tod — he says 
'twill ruin him if you fail as to his claim, but he 
thanks you for y*" promise of service, as to 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 79 

the two Casks of Lond. Particular— I thot 
when you sent me up those Casks unfilled, 
you had taken two in like situation for y'self 
& charg'd neither yourself or me for them — 
I sold the whole, except one hhd, as you have 
been advised. If I am right in any Idea of 
the Matter, you shou'd not charge me for the 
two mark'd. T. W. however; what you do, 
will be right I'm sure in this & everything 
else that concerns me — I wou'd not now have 
E'm kept for me at any rate — I B'° wife went 
down to see him at Notingham last week — 
I'm glad to hear he is well & to find by his 
own letter y* he was so kindly rec'd at Man- 
heim — I never doubted this, but you knew 
he must desire to get home if possible & was 
therefore anxious for him — I hope y* neither 
he or I have made One Good Man our Enemy 
—When R. W. has paid off all my accounts 
he'l probably send you what Money he may 
have left. 

''As to Hero, I tried everyway to get him 
to come to me; even y' old neighbor I. Bring- 
hurst, spoke to him, but all in Vain— at least 
I found out his home in Coomb's Alley, this 
day; & such another DwelP for a human Creature 



80 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

I never saw — I don't believe there is one so 
miserable in this City — I saw & talk'd long 
with him, but all in vain — ^he says you were 
a good Master, but he don't like the Country 
& cannot consent to go out. I gave him every 
assurance in my power; promis'd him cloaths 
& every indulgence; but all in Vain. I then 
told him the Consequences of a refusal — ^he 
still persisted, knowing the advantage he had 
over me — he is very 111 & can hardly speak 
to be heard at a yard's distance — I suspect his 
disorder is of such a Nature, that you'd not 
be very safe to take him into y"" house at 
present — ^he agreed to think longer of the mat- 
ter & to let me see him soon again — If I can 
do anjrthing by fair means I will — as to harsh 
Methods they 'ont do at present for many 
reasons — 

"E. Story & W" Clifton have both promis'd 
me their Act' with W. M. & C° the latter 
say's You have had it once already; & by his man- 
ner I conclude there is nothing due to him — 
whatever there may be from him. Neither 
Cap* Chapman or Batt are here — He keep 
those Accounts by me, & so I must Cap* Innes 
& Lieu* Lander, neither of them being in this 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. «I 

place I believe. I wrote Cap* Adye & inclos'd 
his Act but have yet rec'd no answer from 
him. I Dougan offer'd me paper in paym\ & 
said he had nothing else to pay with — I Duf- 
field told me he has a demand for Demurrage 
10 Days' of Capt. Amiels Vessell at Lisbon 
w^ will over balP the Act that he tole you 
often of this, & you promised to settle it with 
him & he expected you'd allow it — He send for 
T. Bramal & do all I can with him & all others 
in the like situation, but I've not yet got one 
penny from any of the Debts due Us — When 
I see old Rob* Tombs He let him have the 
money you desire — I have spent two hours 
in Smith's room y^ mom^ in the re-examina- 
tion of y"^ Account — he's very confused, very 
Ignorant & stupid as to business of this sort, 
& I don't think quite blameless in the pres- 
ent Instance — The rec't is so blotted that no 
one can tell the handwriting with any cer- 
tainty; but by the cut of some letters I believe 
it's wrote by the same Clerk who wrote others 
in his books, there is neither Swan wicks or 
M' Hogelands hand there I think — however 
I've rec'd y' day Sixty pounds in part from 
Smith & he promises to pay me the remain- 



82 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

ing ball^ as you settle it except the Interest for 
the Negroe, who ttimed out sickly & drunken 
— he sold him for £iio only w^ appears 
from the Note he got for him, & y^ on Credit 
too — I believe you must let him off without 
Interest — he expresses great esteem for you 
tho: I don't think he deserves much from you 
indeed. I shall be able by fair means I hope 
to get clear of him, & shall be very glad of 
it, for he is a great fool & puts on a great 
deal of consequences — ^he has got more money 
than he ever expected — the Madura bill is 
still in M' Humphries's hands — the Man who 
left it there has never call'd or sent for it, 
& Humphries don't know his name — I left 
the anwser you desire about it, & hope you'l 
take care to pay it off. As to Ann Meredith 
I believe I was not wrong in the sum I've 
paid her. If I was so, I was misled by the 
Note w*" is all in y"" own writing, and was 
the only rule I had to go by — inclos'd you 
have an exact Copy of it & of the only rec't 
on it's back — I believe the Error is in y' hav* 
entered the Principal Sum £95 only on the 
6th May 1772, & then calculated Int^ on that 
Sum — in short you'l compare the Note I send 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 83 

w*" the Act in y' books — if any Mistake Tie 
get it back again — you'l give me Credit for 
£4.3.6. p*^ Postages &c. to y^ day & £109.17.6. 
the whole amo* of disbursements on Acts of 
O. P. & £28, 16/?"^ Abby Willing Int^ due 
to the 1st Sepf last. I believe I told you 
of these in a letter you don't acknowledge 
you'l also charge me £33.4/net proceeds of 
two hhds. of damaged Tobacco belong^ to 
my brother & you'l Credit the proper sale 
for the same — I've not seen M^ Stansbury but 
I don't expect he'l take the Sum you offer for 
the bill as he seemed to me to expect a much 
greater advance — I shall therefore give him 
a draft on London next month. 

"April 28th. W" Clifton has sent me his 
A/C* & you now have it inclosed — M'' Ross 
gave me last Week y"" letter of Credit, which 
is sufficient; & you may depend on every as- 
sistance I can give her in that and every other 
way that may be usefull to her. I sent you 
the 15th Inst, under the care of W" West of 
Whitemarsh a blank cover cont^ a letter from 
y' old acquaintance Gov"" Johnstone dated 5th 
Feb^ last, «& also two letters from D. Stra- 
chan & C° of Oct' 1776 & feb^ 1777 in these 



84 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

they make Us in their debt ab^ £409 St^ 
I think. I hope y* Cover got safe. It's well 
y"" friends packet by M'" Wood got safe — 
Miss Stedman promis'd to send you the like 
articles from Grame Park. I long to hear from 
y brother or at least of him by means of M^ 
Ross, & hope his conduct will be cleared up 
more to his Credit than we apprehend it cou'd. 
As to Battiers balP being paid E'm in a way 
you had not learn't; perhaps they have taken 
some such step as Messrs. Crawford did with 
our Money in the hands of D. S. & C°. at 
least what they meant to take — pray had they 
any considerable demand, or what was the Cause 
of their laying an Attachment on what they 
tho* our property — surely these people have 
forgot all former Confidence, or tho*" we were 
going to the Devil headlong, but I hope they 
will find Emselves greatly mistaken, & that 
the time will come, when we shall resume our 
former Countenance, & be able to look them 
all in the face, but peace to them all! If I 
cou'd but see your face once more, I shou'd 
be more happy than ever I have been for some 
months past — I take the liberty to send you 
a few Garden Seeds; they are all I cou'd get 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 85 

from a friend of mine, & he says they are 
fresh & good. 

"I don't recollect anything further on the Sub- 
ject of business, and as we never write upon 
Politicks, I must relieve you from this long 
letter — I have much to say to you on my own 
particular situation; but (bound in) better 
let alone now — I hope still to be happy in 
the esteem & friendship of the Man in the 
World I love most, & for whom I have every 
feeling of affection & regard. Adieu! & believe 
me to be 

"Y"^^ &c., 

"Tho^ Willing. 
"You see I have altered my mind as to the 
wine; let your friend sell them again. 
Rob"^ Morris Esq^ 

Superscription — "To 

''Rob' Morris Esq' 
"at Manheim 
"Lancaster County." 



86 willing letters and papers. 

Thomas Willing to Joseph Reed." 

''Philad^ October ist, 1779. 
"Sir: 

"My brother, Charles WilHng, has resided in 
the Island of Barbadoes for many year's past, 
when he went from this place, he left his two 
children under the care of his mother. A weak- 
ness in his nerves made a voyage to the North- 
ward necessary, and a desire of taking home 
his Daughters has induced him to come to 
New York, where he now is, and requests per- 
mission to come to Philad^ and to remain 
here until the Spring, and then to return to 
New York on his way to Barbadoes with his 
Daughters. If this request is not too great, 
I beg the favor of you to lay it before the 
Hon^^^ Council as soon as it may be convenient, 
and that the necessary Pass may be made 

out. 

"I have the honor to be Sir 

Y^ ObHged and Obed' 

hum Serv* 

Thomas Willing. 

''His Excellency Jos. Reed Esq" 

President of the Hon^^^ Executive Council." 

^^ From the Simon Gratz collection of manuscripts. 



willing letters and papers. 87 

Thomas Willing of Philadelphia to 
Mr. Ingles.^^ 

"Phila Nov^. 13TH 1 78 1. 
"Dear Sir: 

"In expectation y* you are on y"" way up, 
I shall lodge this at Baltimore, where you'l 
please to inform y^'self if its worth while for 
Us to send down any of the following Articles. 
Tubs of Steel of ii2lb net — worth here 20 
Dol" Ravens & Russia Duck 150/ to i6o/p 
p^ Chints Callicoe & Brittanias, now selP at 
2/9P Liv' Sattins, Paduasoy's, Sw^ silk. Nan- 
keens Bandannoes, are sell^ at 3/ for 12^ St^ 
cost. Cloths & Duffels 3/3P Liv^ If any 
of these articles will answer better than here, 
we have plenty — I've just got y*" Letters of 
27*^ & 31'* Oct' and am not sorry to see 
you are not like to plague y'^self with any 
purchase at York you'l have your hands full 
with Vessells of our own in all probability — 
The two Brig' got to Maestrand the i'* & 
3'^'^ Sept^ were unloaded by the 6th and wou'd 
sail in all y* month full ships. — I hear nothing 
from Kollock or of him but believe he'l have 

^^ Blackwell and Willing Letters {Wallace Papers Volume IV) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



88 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

no Vessell to come out with — I've Insured 
16000 Liv". on Delaware 8c Cargoe at 30p C* & 
the Hke Sum on each of the others at 25^p C\ 
I mean 8000 on each Vess' & 8000 on each 
Cargoe our A/ct. There's no Vess. offering 
for Europe & I believe Tobacco will sell as 
well here to the full — its got to 27/6 Maryland 
.and 37/6 for Virg^ I've bo* as much as I 
want for the Cutter before this great advance 
in the price. 

"No news yet of Wilson but as the cutter had 
such continual westerly winds we are not yet 
uneasy — I have the pleasure to tell you that 
your little Girl is exceedingly well — y' Brother 
George is at N. York & want^ to come here 
which can't be allow'd at present but on such 
terms as won't suit him perhaps — I've sold 
off all our Tea 6/ to 6/3 the price is now 
rising but on the first arrival twill be down 
again — by the Papers you may see what hon- 
ours you have arrived at, we want you here to 
bear your part in this great undertaking of 
the Bank — I am truly & very 

"affectionately y' fr"^ 
& Kinsman 

"Tho^ Willing. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 89 

"Exch" 5/9 to 6/p Liv' 

"No news stirring here. Maryl^ Tobacco was 
selP at Maestrand from 8 to lopi lb but 
Virg* in more demand here. 
M^ Inglis." 



Thomas Willing to William Moore 
President of the Supreme Executive 
Council of Pennsylvania, the 9th 
OF February, 1782.^^ 

"Sir, — The President, Directors, and Company 
of the Bank of North America, incorporated 
by the United States, in Congress assembled, 
have thought it proper to petition the General 
Assembly for a similar charter, and such sup- 
port from the government of the State, as 
may render the bank capable of yielding those 
advantages to the general cause of America 
which are intended thereby; and this institu- 
tion being encouraged and supported by cit- 
izens of other States, as well as that in which 
it happens to be established the most respectful 
and proper mode of presenting the petition to 



^^ Lawrence Lewis Jr. A History of the Bank of North America, 
Philadelphia, 1882, page 44. 



90 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

the Honorable House appearing to be through 
the Supreme Executive Council of the State, 
we have inclosed the same to you, and request 
you to lay it before the General Assembly as soon 
as they shall meet. I have the honor to be 
"Your Excellency's most obedient servant, 
Thomas Willing, President. 
"His Excellency William Moore, Esq., President." 

Thomas Willing to Robert Hare 
AND William Bingham.^*' 
"Gentlemen 

"Having deliver'd you a coppy of my Uncle's 
will & two Codicills — & also a letter to Cap* 
Stirling & M' Warren the two acting Exec- 
utors, I must desire you will at leisure read 
over the whole, & then deliver the letter to 
either or both of those Gentlemen — you'l also 
converse w^ them on this Subject & inform 
yourselves whether anything, & how much, is 
coming to me a residuary Legatee, after all 
the abuse I have evidently suffered by the 

interposition of Geo: Hand — you'l also inform 
yourselves of the ages & health of the Annui- 
tants, who take before me the Long bank an- 
nuity, & what may be the value of my Ex- 

^° Volvune of Swifi and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania, 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 9I 

pectancy, if I shou'd incline to sell it next 
Spring — you'l further enquire respect^ the small 
Estate I have mentioned in my Letter to the 
Executors, & where the deeds for it now are — 
If my Uncle did actually renew the Leases, 
& the right is vested in me as he meant it 
shou'd be when he spoke of the matter to M*^ 
Francis, I hope you'l take Care to get the 
deeds & lodge them with M' Warren or other 
safe hands for my security. 

"If you shou'd on enquiry think it advisable 
for me to sell the Annuity or there is anything 
to be received as residuary Legatee — some 
power of Attorney will be necessary for me 
execute to you perhaps to get the thing com- 
pleted. If so please to send me out the proper 
form for each Case to prevent any delay — 

"I need not say how much I wish your health 
& safe arrival, it is a wish of all others nearest 
the heart of your affectionate friend 

Tho^ Willing 
"Phil" May 8th 1783" 
Superscription 
''Mess"' Rob' Hare 

& 
Wm. Bingham 

''London'' 



92 willing letters and papers. 

Thomas Willing to Sir Walter Stirling 
AND Peter Warren in London.^^ 

"Philad^ May 25th 1783 
"Gentlemen — 

"The late unhappy Contest between G* Britain 
& America, has prevented my addressing you 
long ago, respecting the affairs of my Uncle's 
Estate — I make no doubt the whole has been 
closed before this time, and that you wou'd 
have furnished me with a state thereof, had 
the communication been free and open as be- 
fore — 

"As the residuary Legatee to so near a re- 
lation and so warm a friend, dying possessed 
of a considerable Estate, it's very natural for 
me to suppose that he meant to comply with 
his former declarations, and to leave me some- 
thing more than base words, or a distant Ex- 
pectancy; that this was actually the case in 
his first will, I am well assured of and cannot 
doubt he was a Man of his word; his promises 
were never made in vain; but it was my great 
misfortune, that when my Uncle was extremely 
weak, deranged in his understanding, if not 

^^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 93 

quite unable to judge for himself, this Will 
was put into the hands of an artfull, self in- 
terested Man, to manufacture at his own dis- 
cretion, by this means the Testators declared 
& benevolent intentions toward me were per- 
verted and led, basely led, into a channel, which 
he never intended; at least so farr as G. H. and 
his family were benefited by the alterations 
of the old will, & the Codicils of this truth, 
M' Warren, who I believe to have been the 
worthy and confidential friend of my Uncle 
must be fully persuaded he must have known 
the terms he had long ago been upon with all of 
that family, except his Sister, he respected none 
of them. 

**I shou'd not again have touched on this 
subject but my nephew Charles Stirling told 
me when he was here in 1781, that you were 
all satisfied of the gross abuse; and manifest 
injustice done me, in the Codicils particularly 
and that you were fully convinced too, by 
whom it was done, & that my suspicions 
had not been, as you once tho* them to be, 
"entirely groundless" — ^however! there is now 
no help for it. The time is past for remedy; 
the Will, & Codicils too, have all been proved 



94 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

and I must put up with the abuse, and the 
loss I have sustained. I shall make no further 
reflections! I have now, on my part, done 
with the subject, & hope that our correspon- 
dence in future, may be more agreeable to 
all parties — 

"As to you Gentlemen, I have never enter- 
tained the least doubt, but that you have and 
will ever do me justice in every particular, as 
the acting Executors of the Will of your de- 
ceased friend, and that you will give me the 
necessary Information respecting this business. 

"My brother in Law M"" Rob* Hare, or my 
Son in Law M' W" Bingham will deliver you 
this letter; and as I have desired them to in- 
form me the Value of my expectancy on the 
Long annuity were it now to be sold, you 
will please to give them any information you 
can on this head, and generally communi- 
cate anything that may be necessary for me 
to know, or to do, as residuary Legatee or to 
secure the payment of the Annuity at a future 
day to myself or to my Children, if the Re- 
version shou'd not be sooner sold by me — M' 
Francis was told by my Uncle that there was 
a small Estate in the family of ab* £24 per 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 95 

annum, which had been in it many years, & 
w^ after his death wou'd descend to me — I 
suppose he meant a place call'd Tockington 
in Gloucestershire— please to say what you 
know of this Estate; where the deeds for it 
are, what's it's value, & whether there is any 
reason why the deeds shou'd not be deliver'd 
up to you as Executors— I know not the nature 
of the Estate, as M' Francis don't recollect 
particularly— only y* my Uncle said it had 
been a great number of years in the family, 
& that he wou'd renew the Leases in my be- 
half— 

"You will please to excuse this trouble and 
believe me to be Gentlemen with respect & 
esteem 

"Y^ Most Obed* hum. Serv* 
Tho^ Willing 



"Sir Walter Stirling 

& 
M' Peter Warren 



two of the Executors of 
Tho^ Willing Esq^ late 
of London deceased." 



96 willing letters and papers. 

Tho® Willing to— ^^ 

"My Dear Sir 

"You had left the Cape a full week, before 
the Pilot bro* me your letter, & y* from my 
dearest daughter — It gave me great pleasure 
to find by her letter, y* She was like to make 
so good a Sailor, & y* She had got over her 
terror & Seasickness so far as to be able to 
write correctly & free from tremor, we have 
heard of M*" Vaughn's arrival in London in 
66 days after his departure. God grant that 
I may be so happy as to hear of the arrival 
of my best beloved friends in as short a space, 
poor Peggy paid the roast I find by M*" Hares 
letter — however as she cast up her accounts so 
soon, I hope she farred the better afterwards, 
& that her anxiety for her little boy, was soon 
removed, by his recovery. We are all well 
& nothing new since your departure except 
the daily arrival of five or six Vessells; they 
pour in from every quarter, no Sale for any- 
thing except English goods of particular kinds — 
Nixon & Lewis were chosen in Directors by 

'^ Volume of Swijt and Willing Letters {Batch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 97 

every Vote but two — our dividend will be 6>^ 
if not 7 pet. for the present Six Mo^ — Carter 
has now no Shares and they go off fast — 
M"" Inglis was in treaty with Mr. Whiteside 
for 400 hhd^ Tobacco, but he wou'd not give 
40/ therefore no bargain. S. I. will tell you 
how the load^ goes on at Baltimore, as he has 
taken up that Correspondence — the price is 
rising in Virginia & is only 36/ at Baltimore 
at present, but as Vessels are get^ in there 
very fast it will probably get up to our price 
before long — Tell M*" Hare that Warren arriv'd 
here from Bristol yesterday and call'd at my 
house y* day I did not see him. I hear he 
has bro* over a Cargoe of beer Porter &c. 
our Market is glutted, M' Twells says with 
these articles, & y* there is little Sale for them. 
M"" Twells has rec'd the Wine & Isingglass 
from L'Orient & from Holland too, & desires 
M'' Hare may be told y* everything goes on 
very well here — he's a clever Man I think, 
& I believe M*" Hare may make himself easy 
about his Management — Charles has not taken 
his passage, but shall go to M' Gilmore in the 
first good Vessell for Amsterdam; & of this 
I beg you will advise M"" Gilmore — farewell 



98 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

my dear Sir, give little Nan a kiss for me 
& don't forget her Mamma too — tell Peggy y* 
the family are coming in to sit down with a 
p"" of beef, with bacon & Windsor beans — I 
shou'd be happy to help her to a part — She's 
so honest a Soul, y^ she'd do justice to the 
joint I am sure — God bless you all, take Care 
of yourself & all the party, & believe me to 
be with great truth, your affectionate friend 

Tho^ Willing. 

"Sunday June 22^ 1783. 

"I saw y^ Sister drive by in a Gust of rain 
last Even^ from Bethlehem — I hear they are 
all well in Pine Street." 

From Thomas Willing to — ^^ 

"Phila. Oct. 20th 1783 
"Dear Sir 

"I wrote you a long letter by Cap* Aull, 
who I am told is still in the River — ^however, 
I can't let Cap* Truxton go off without telP 
you and my dear daughter that we are all 
perfectly well at this later day — your tobacco 
affairs are just as they then were, except that 

^^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 99 

Cap' Lockton arriv'd three days ago w'' 105 
hhd' from Wiccommocoe on the Eastern shore 
of Maryl^ He tells me it's three year's old, 
has Stood on the bare ground & in the worst 
order he ever saw any; much of it is quite 
rotten it wou'd not sell there, & oiu- lost friend 
M-" Inglis, sent his Brig' around to bring it, 
as the only chance there was for you to get 
anything— not one hhd of y^ tobacco has, or 
cou'd possibly be sold at the Warehouses; & 
here the Sale is dull indeed. we have now 
here ab' 300 hhd' & no purchaser that I can 
find for a single One— I expect to learn from 
W" Young y' he has collected & sold what 
he cou'd get at in Virginia; but in the mean 
while I am press'd to discharge the two notes 
you left in Bank— it's absolutely necessary 
they shou'd be soon paid off — we really want 
it & it's considered as a trespass— I told you 
y' M*- Inglis before his death had p"^ me 6000 
D^' towards pay^ for the 17 Shares you left 
unpaid for & y' he had paid M^ Lewis 8000 
in part of y-" Note to the latter— I tho' it 
wrong in M'' Lewis to take it out M^ Inglis's 
hands, & told him yesterday he ought to re- 
place it to enable me to take up the Note 



100 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

you left in Bank; but this I see clearly he 
don't mean to do, & I am determined this 
105 hhd^ now come shan't go into his hands, 
but be sold or ship'd to Holland, if too bad 
to sell here & we'l draw on M' Gilmore for 
it's value — Money I must soon have or be 
forced either to sell part of y^ Stock or draw 
on you to pay into the Bank whats wanted 
there — You have been grosly abused in the 
purchase of several parcels of the Maryland 
tobacco — no person would even touch it at 
the warehouses after they saw it, & some y* 
has come here, was absolutely not worth the 
Expense of bringing it up — you may depend 
that we shall never be able to pay two third 
of the Notes in Bank by any Sale we can or 
have made, or by draw^ for any we may ship. 
My Interest shall be used to keep all quiet 
untill you can give me advice whether to sell 
off part of the Stock or draw on you or M^ 
Gilmore to enable me to pay the balP^ The 
Export of Silver for Europe has made it neces- 
sary to curtail our discounts, & to call in our 
debts — M*" Lewis has ab* 170 hhd' in his 
possession but can't sell one — M"^ Swanwick 
& he, will both push off all they can but a 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. lOI 

sale can't be forced when the Commodity is 
so very bad— those Men on James River have 
used you 111 and those at Georgetown to whom 
M"- Russell sold ab* 50 or 60 hhd^ & to be 
p^ in August last, now say they can't pay 
before next May— M^ Inglis had paid before 
his death all he had sold or received, so that 
my prospect is truly a disagreeable One as to 
the discharge of y^ two Notes of 30000 & 
8,000. 

"By poor Sam's death our late partnership 
IS at an end; a new one commences under 
the firm of Will & Swanwick— by this event 
our articles w*^ M' Gilmore are also void & 
R. M. & M^ Swanwick decline to have any 
further concern in that house, Therefore M^ 
Morris will write to M^ Gilmore immediately 
on this Subject & perhaps make some new 
proposal to him that may be mutually bene- 
ficial—for certainly we can't expect M"" Inglis's 
Executors; who are M""^ Inglis, W" McKensie, 
Sam: Cadwalader & M' W'" Ronald of Virginia,' 
to continue any part of his little Estate further 
at risque— you will also decline every concern, 
if any, you & Sam had in contemplation. We 
shall have enough to do, to settle old affairs. 



102 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

M^ Inglis's death was a shock to me, & his 
own family; no one had the least suspicion of 
any danger — I am so very much engrossed 
where you left me, by the very great increase 
of business; that I have never spent half an 
hour out of the bank since you left me; & 
our hours are extended from 9 to one & from 
3 to 6 in the Even^ & little time enough too — 
II must soon quit or I shall be hurt every 
way — The stock has got to 12^ if not 15 
pet. advance, but few only will sell — ^we shall 
soon be compelled to enlarge the Subscription — 
Abby has taken great pains to send my dear- 
est Nancy a Cask of our own Apples — She went 
up to Tackony, engaged them in a perfect 
scramble, sent up next day for them, & has 
at last got them on board — Cap^ Truxton be- 
haved kindly indeed, & insisted y^ he wou'd 
have the pleasure to carry them — Nancy is 
his very great favorite — he speaks of her to 
every one in raptures — pray give my best & 
affectionate love & blessing to her — I long 
to know that She is relieved of her burthen, 
& in perfect health & happiness — don't fail a 
Conveyance any how to tell me how you both 
are, & the Moment she is Safe in her bed, tell 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. IO3 

me of it — Remember me to my dear Sister & 
to poor Hare — I wish to know that he is well, 
& y* I may once more be certain of seeing 
him again — y*^ Mother came here yesterday 
to sign our firm book — I secured 6 Share's 
for the Old Lady, in the hurry on the 25 July 
last — She's much pleased indeed at it — Hannah 
is in a very 111 State of health — She'l not be 
long for this world I'm sure — the room has 
this moment 30 People in it, & I can only 
say y* Francis has got the gout & I am heart- 
ily tired. 6 o'clock. 
''Adieu 

"I am ever 

"Y" most affectionately 
'*Tho^ Willing." 
Onback — "Exchange is now at 70 to 72^ pet." 

Thomas Willing to William Bingham^^ 

"Phil^. Nov^. 29TH 1783. 
''My Dear Sir: 

"I never got y^^ of 27th August from Am- 

sterd"" untill the 24th Inst. & the former one 

you mention respect^ 50 Shares of stock has 

^* Provincial Delegates, Volume V. in the Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania. 



104 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

not yet reached me — If it had you will have 
seen by mine dated in Aug^' that nothing 
cou'd have been done more than I did w*" was 
to take up & pay for the 17 left by you — 
these you cou'd not have saved thro' any 
other person but myself — I did not obtain a 
single one for my own share — and it has been 
with great difficulty I have kept y"" largest 
Note on Interest here rather than draw 
on you for it — You'l have seen by M*" Lewis' 
& Mr. Swanwick's letters the reasons why 
no Cash has been p*^ me to take up the 
above Note — I hope to get from Nm. ab* 
1 0000 D'' in a few days out of some of y"" 
Tobacco now in M"". Lewis's hands — I have 
never meddled in the sales shipments or direc- 
tion of the Tobacco business further than 
to whet them up to do all they cou'd do for 
y' best Int. Poor Sam, did all he cou'd but 
was taken off so very suddenly y^ he cou'd 
give no account respect^ it — ^he often told me of 
the bad quality & condition it was generally 
in & the difficulty he was under ab* it — what's 
in Virg^ must be shipped & drawn for & the 
ball* after all I shall be forced to draw on 
you as you may direct — I will keep off if pos- 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. IO5 

sible untill you can write me in answer to 
this — you are deceive in y^ expectations y^ 
y* the tobacco here, will pay the note of 30000 
— remembering that I have already p"^ 6000 for 
Stock 8000 to M^ Lewis & also p^ off y' 
Note in Bank for 8000 we have determined 
to lay before the C° in January a plan for 
enlarging the Stock of the Bank & I now send 
you the plan w^ is unanimously agreed to by 
the Directors & w*" I believe will be confirmed 
so y* you'l be excluded as well as myself from 
any more shares before the i'^ August next — 
unless you get some other person to act for 
you in the Matter — we are going on better 
than you can believe & I shall be forced to 
stay another year to close this second Sub- 
scription — the confinement is great, but I have 
the best of all rewards, the general voice & 
approbation — Our dividend will be 6^4 or more 
in Jan""^ next. I thank you for your tho* 
of my Son Charles but alas, he is not fit to 
be trusted in Amsterdam. I must send him 
to sea to break the neck of a set of bad Com- 
pany & other 111 consequences of his stay here — 
I thank Mr. Gilmore & I thank you on his 
Subject. I wish I cou'd thank him for any 



I06 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

comfort, but he has almost rob'd me of mine — 
he's an Idle boy — Peter's keeps in the Country 
when I can, I will see him, and buy the Lot 
if I can at any reasonable price. 

"I sent your tea Urn or Kettle, by the Phil* 
Cap* Towers to Amsterdam & referr'd M^ 
G. to you for further Orders — I p"^ a weding 
visit yesterday to y sister — She is the wife 
of M'. Blackwell, to the surprise & dissatis- 
faction too of very many — She begs her love 
to you, & y* you'l excuse her not writing by 
this Vessell — She has reserved all her Estate, 
real & personal too by an act of settlement 
by V" she can by will, dispose of both as she 
pleases, not only what she now has, but any 
reversion after her Mother's death also — I'm 
sorry for this Event 'twas foolish & somewhat 
Indelicate too — I don't think her health was 
in a state to justify such an engagement — 
She can't live long I verily believe New York 
is our own at last — ^All the world are driving 
there — The Congress are getting together at 
Annapolis — they are not a little dissatisfied 
with what they have done — ^but don't know 
how to get clear of the embarrassment — they'l 
come back hereafter to the old stations; I verily 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. I07 

believe they will & that sooner than you may 
expect. 

**I rejoice at the favourable expectations you 
seem to have form'd of the Establishment at 
Amsterdam; I wish M' Gilmore every degree 
of Success — & I wish you may have resolved 
to keep the concern with him — ^but in my cir- 
cumstances, it don't suit me — without the con- 
currence of R. M. & M^ Swanwick, its impos- 
sible for em to hold it, and they are both avers 
to keeping it up — I think myself the resolu- 
tion right, now y*" a peace has taken place 
which will furnish our acting partner with em- 
ployment enough — all I am anxious ab* is 
least M^ Gilmore may suffer any inconveni- 
ence by the removal he has made — 

"I shall wait with great impatience to know 
y* my dear Nancy is well out of her Laying 
in & also that her Children & you are all 
well — pray give my best love to her, to M' 
Hare & my dear sister — excuse my writing — 
I have strained my Thumb, & write in some 
pain & with much trouble — I'm in the Bank 
where we are really crowded with business 
now & every hour in the day — Our transac- 
tions are on a medium 280 entries per day and 



I08 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

1 000000 to 1200000 per week our open Ac*^ 
above 700 — 

"God bless you and all about you and believe 
me to be affectionately y'^'. T. W. 

"M^ Stevenson presents an Ac* of his brother's 
demand^ 1700 Eustatia Dollars & In* ab* 
2^ years mak^ above 2000 D'' in all — I've 
offer'd to pay him the principal sum, at w^ 
he is dissatisfied — pray tell me if I must allow 
the Int. or not M' Lewis seems to think its 
right to pay him. Let M'. Hare know y* 
M'. Twells is just gone out of the Bank — ^he 
is perfectly well and get^ Barley at 5/6 to 
5/8— plenty. 

Superscription — " W"" Bingham Esq'' 

* * Bloomsburg Square. ' ' 

Thomas Willing i2th May, 1785, to 
James Wilson.^^ 

"As to the business of the bank the whole 
must be left to your prudence to take such 
steps in Congress as the magnitude of the 
question and the complexion of that body may 
render necessary and proper. "Fiat justitia 

^^ Lawrence Lewis, Jr.: A History of the Bank of North America, 
Philadelphia, 1882, page 63. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. IO9 

et contentus sum." With the Assembly the 
word is "Carthago est delenda," let the Congress 
judge for what end or purpose, and let them 
consider too that when this political child of 
theirs has once breathed its last, they have 
no Promethean power to call another into ex- 
istence; confidence once lost is not often, if 
ever, to be regained. This is, perhaps, the 
only instance where a politic body has been 
annihilated, and private interest and property 
violated, without the least charge of abuse of 
power or malpractice suggested, much less 
proved before a jury of twelve men. In the 
present case not only the Constitution of the 
State is violated, but the Confederation of all 
the States is also violated, and a stab — a mor- 
tal stab — is given to the honor of Congress 
and the credit of all America. We have served 
our country, and served her in the worst of 
times, when our present opposers gave no 
assistance to the means of doing it. Let them 
consider this, and blush at the return they 
are now making. Let the Congress, too, con- 
sider this, and then determine whether they 
ought not to exert their influence with every 
State to support an institution to which they 



no WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

have given an existence, and from which they 
have received a dutiful return. I have devoted 
a large portion of my time, and, considering 
the period of my life, a very precious part 
of it, too, to the service of my country in the 
establishment of the bank, but it is my pride, 
it is my greatest glory, that it has thus far 
succeeded. To preserve it from destruction, 
and to further our public measures, I would 
still go further, I would devote the few re- 
maining years I have in its service rather than 
it should fall a sacrifice to the delusion of party, 
or to the insidious designs of Tories and British 
emissaries. God grant that this may not be 
the case. To prevent it, I conjure you, by 
every tie you have to the institution of which 
you were an early protector, by every tie you 
have to the country you live in, to exert every 
nerve in its defense." 

Thomas Willing to William Bingham.^^ 

"August the 29TH 1785. 
"My Dear Sir 

"I thank you & my dear daughter for your 

letters by the Belfield; She arrv'd safe the 

1 6th inst, and all our friends in good health — 

^® From the Emmet manuscripts in the New York Public Library 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. Ill 

the accounts they give of you and yr. family 
are highly pleasing to me, who am so deeply 
interested in your happiness & welfare — It 
was very natural for Nancy to wish to gratify 
her curiosity fully, by staying another year — 
She had cross'd the Ocean already, & had an 
indulgent friend in you, ready and able to 
gratify her — I am contented; & the more so, 
as my state of health is good and I've as fair 
a chance as ever of living to see her, shou'd 
your return be delayed till next year. 

"I find from Mr. Hare y\ you were going 
to France to settle the business w^ Mr. Mar- 
bois had in hand here — I wish you had taken 
care of some claims W" Mon. T. Sargenton & 
Mr. Delacombe had against you at Martinico — 
The latter has brot. suit, & you are summoned 
to appear there the 27th Septr. next, as you'l 
see by the papers I send you inclosed — you 
have a coppy of my answer y^day to Sargen- 
ton fils at Baltimore — I don't know the foun- 
dation of the Action brot. by the Owners of 
the Rattle Snake, they have not yet filed their 
declaration, & the Summon's is generally to 
answer in a plea of debt — ^it will, I believe, be put 
off till April term next — Wilson is y'. lawyer. 



112 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"Our Assembly is sitting — They have attack'd 
us with all the violence of party rage — ^but 
I believe they'l drop the attack before the 
end of the Session. You have a pamphlet 
enclos'd, wrote by Ja". Wilson — This, is wrote 
solely for Congress & the Assembly — other 
Fugitive & Weekly pieces, will directly follow, 
to suit the people at large — I don't despair, 
altho this, & the other attempts we have with- 
stood have cost me much trouble & pain of 
mind — I shall soon write you again & probably 
may send your Act with me as yr. Attorney — 
its now abt. a ballance — I have not time to 
say more than that. I am ever most affec- 
tion your's — . 

"Tho^ Willing. 

"Give my best love to Nancy & her dear little 
ones. We are all perfectly well — 

"August the 30TH 

"Our last dividend was 3 pet paid to M. 
Lewis & Co. for your use — as was also the 
year's Ints. on y^ loan Office Certificates abt. 
4000 Dollars, for w^ he gives you credit as 
so much specie hav^ paid it as such to the 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. II 3 

Impost Office — I expect another payment this 
fall on those Certificates — this is sad letter 
writing, I am interrupted every minute — I 
had good luck in turn^ the last years paper 
& this last payment into Specie; the disc* 
on it now, is 7>^ to lo pet. I have piled up 
abt. 50,000 feet of as fine boards as I ever 
saw. I stop'd buying because the price was 
so high, as £8 for one inch, & £15 for i^ 
do. for floors — You have enclosed all y' Acts, 
with me to this day for your Inspection — 

"Wm. Bingham, Esq." 



Thomas Willing to Benjamin Franklin." 

"To His Excellency Benjamin Franklin 
Esquire, President of the Supreme Exec- 
utive Council of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania. 

"The Petition of Thomas Willing President 
of the Bank of North America Most respect- 
full sheweth, That Joshua Pusey late of the 
City of Philadelphia merchant and Miller us- 

^^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters {Batch Papers) in the His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania. 



114 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

ing and exercising the Trade of a Merchant 
and Miller and seeking his living by buying 
and selling became indebted to the Corpora- 
tion of the President Directors and Company 
of the Bank of North America upon just and 
good Causes and Considerations since the six- 
teenth day of September in the Year One Thou- 
sand Seven hundred and eighty five in the Sum 
of two hundred Pounds lawful money of Penn- 
sylvania and upwards, and that the said Joshua 
Pusey of late that is to say about the thirtieth 
day of June last past did become Bankrupt 
within the Meaning of the Acts of the General 
Assembly of this Commonwealth for the Regu- 
lation of Bankruptcy, to the Intent to defraud 
and hinder the said President, Directors and 
Company, and other his Creditors of their 
just debts to them owing: In Consideration 
whereof may it please the President to grant 
unto the Petitioner the Commission of this 
Commonwealth to be directed to such and so 
many wise honest and discreet Persons as to the 
President shall seem meet, authorizing them 
thereby not only concerning the said Bankrupt 
his Body, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels, 
Rights, Credits and Estate whatsoever, but 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. II5 

also concerning all other Persons whatsoever, 
who by concealment, Claim or otherwise do 
or shall offend touching the Premises or any 
part thereof contrary to the true Intent and 
Meaning of the said Acts. To do and execute 
all and everything and things whatsoever as 
well for and towards Satisfaction and Payment 
of the said Creditors as for and towards all 
other Intents and purposes according to the 
Provision of the said Acts concerning Bank- 
rupts. 

**And your Petitioner as in duty bound will 
pray &c. 

"Tho^ Willing." 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THOMAS WILLING. 
"Philadelphia, Feby the 4th, 1786. 
"I, Thomas Willing of the city of Philadel- 
phia, Merchant, in the fifty-fifth year of my 
age, and thro' the favour of God, in perfect 
health and strength, which I consider as an 
ample reward for a life of Sobriety and Tem- 
perance, do hereby transmit to my Posterity, 
for their satisfaction and information, the follow- 
ing account of the family and stock from which 



Il6 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

I am descended, and which I believe to be 
authentic, having collected the same from old 
family Bibles and such other authorities as I 
believe to be true. 

"Joseph Willing of Gloucestershire, the first of 
the name of Willing, of whom I have any writ- 
ten account, married Elizabeth Plaver in the 
year 1672. She died in 1675, leaving him two 
sons George and Joseph, one born in 1673, the 
other in 1675. The said Joseph the elder, mar- 
ried his second wife Ava Lowle, in the year 
1676, by whom he had issue, Martha in 1677, 
Mary in 1678, Thomas born January i6th, 
1679-80; Richard in 1681, James in 1683, and 
Samuel born in 1688. His daughter Mary, 
married Stephen Burcombe on Monmouth. She 
had a daughter called Anne, who said in my 
hearing when in Bristol to my Grandfather 
Thomas Willing, that her Grandfather Joseph 
was a Welshman, and that the family name was 
now spelt differently from what it used formerly 
to be. Thus far, the material parts, are taken 
from an old family Bible printed in the year 
1 614, and the Genealogical account is in the 
handwriting of my Great Grandfather Joseph, 
whose family was originally from Wales. He, 



WILLI>fG LETTERS AND PAPERS. II7 

himself, was a Farmer, settled in Gloucestershire 
near Bristol. 

"Ava Lowle his wife and my Great Grand- 
mother, had a good estate in Gloucestershire, 
which had descended to her thro' several gen- 
erations from her Saxon ancestors. A small 
part of it, at Tochington in the said county, 
which rents for about £27 per ann., is settled 
on the family, and after the death of my Aunt 
Anne Willing, will descend to me. The deeds 
are I am told in the hands of my Aunt Dorothy 
Hand at Litchfield. This old family Bible was 
presented me, by Mary Syme Willing now living 
at Temple -Cloud, in Somersetshire. It was 
brought from England last summer, by my sis- 
ter Margaret Hare. The said Mary Syme Wil- 
ling is the only surviving child of Richard, the 
second son of Joseph by the second venture. 

"Thomas Willing, my Grandfather, was eldest 
son of Joseph by Ava Lowle. In the year 1704, 
he married Anne Harrison, a woman of fine 
genius, good education, and excellent under- 
standing, who brought him a. very considerable 
fortune. She was Granddaughter to Thomas Har- 
rison a Lawyer of the Inns Court, Major- 
General in Cromwell's time, and a member of 



Il8 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

the Long Parliament; and also Granddaughter 
by the Mother's side of Simon Mayne a Gen- 
tleman of Lincolnshire; both members of the 
court which condemned Charles the First, and 
principal actors in Cromwell's time (see Ludlow's 
Memoirs and State trials. Vol. 2d). By her, 
he had issue, Charles, Dorothy, Mary, Blanch, 
Anne and Thomas who died in the year 1772 
at Longford in Middlesex. He had been a Mer- 
chant in London, one of the Directors of the 
African Company, a man of abilities, sound 
understanding, and fair character. He came t^ 
Philadelphia with my Father in the year 1742, 
and returned to England in two or three years. 

"The first of the family who came to America 
was my great uncle Richard Willing, about the 
year 17 10. He soon returned to Bristol, where 
he married and died. He was buried in the 
Mayor's Chapel, College Green. 

"Thomas Willing, my Grandfather, came to 
Philadelphia in 1720, went back to England in 
1725, and returned again about 1728, at which 
time he brought his eldest son Charles, my 
Father, whom he left in Philadelphia, and soon 
went back again to Bristol, where he died in 
1760, in the eighty-first year of his age, leaving 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 19 

behind him the character of an able and re- 
spectable Merchant, and a very honest, worthy 
man. He is buried in St. Michael's Church- 
yard in Bristol, under the tomb he had erected 
for my beloved and much honoured Grandmother 
with whom I had lived seven years, and from whom 
I had experienced the greatest tenderness during my 
infant years. She died the nth of September, 1747. 

"The Town of Wilmington, recently called Wil- 
ling 's town, in the Delaware State, was laid out 
and considerably improved by Thomas Willing — 
a kinsman of my Grandfather's, by one of his 
half brothers George or Joseph. He came over 
from England, with my Grandfather, and mar- 
ried a Sweedish woman, by whom he got the 
tract of land on which that Town now stands. 
His descendants are all dead. 

"Charles Willing, my much beloved and hon- 
oured Father, was bom in Bristol the i8th of 
May, 1 7 10, and on the 21st of January 1 730-1, 
he married Anne Shippen, only daughter then 
living of Joseph Shippen, and Granddaughter of 
Edward Shippen of Philadelphia, who was one 
of the Council in 1701, and one of the Com- 
missioners of Property for the Proprietors of 
Pennsylvania, and the first Mayor of Philadel- 



120 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

phia. He left one of the best estates then in 
the Province, having brought into it at his first 
coming at least £12,000 sterling personal estate. 
He was born in England in 1639, and came over 
to Boston with his wife Elizabeth soon after 
the Restoration. By his wife, he had several 
children bom in Boston, of whom it does not 
appear that any lived to full age, except Anne, 
who married Thomas Story the first Recorder 
of Philadelphia, his son Edward who married 
Francina Vanderheyden of Maryland (by whom 
he had issue one daughter, the late Mrs. Jehyll), 
and my Grandfather Joseph Shippen, who mar- 
ried Abigail Gross of Boston in the year I7( ) 
by whom he had issue, my Uncle Edward of 
Lancaster, Joseph of this city Merchant, Wil- 
liam, now of Germantown, Physician, and my 
Mother. My said Great Grandfather Edward 
Shippen came from Boston to this City about 
the year 1688. When he left England, he left 
behind him one brother called William, who 
had issue four sons; Robert a Clergyman, Wil- 
liam a Lawyer, and Member of Parliament in 
the Reign of George the first, and George the 
2d, ^^Edward a Physician, and John a Spanish 

^^See the Memoirs of Lord Chesterfield, page 35. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 121 

Merchant. He came in his own coach from 
Boston to Philadelphia, lived much in the style 
of a Gentleman, built three of the largest and 
best houses then in the City, and he died in the 
year 1712. He had married a second wife ( ) 
Richardson, who died without issue. Afterwards 
he married a third wife Hester James, whom he 
left his widow, with one child only, by her 
called William, who died in his 22nd year. 

"My father Charles Willing having married 
Anne Shippen my Mother on the 21st day of 
January 1 730-1, had issue eleven children — my- 
self born the 19th day of December 1731, Anne, 
now the wife of Teneh Francis, Dorothy who 
married Walter Sterling a Captain in the Brit- 
ish Navy. She died at Glasgow in Scotland in 
October 1783 (having gone from her home in 
London to visit her daughter), Charles, and 
Mary who married Wm. Byrd Esqr of Virginia, 
Elizabeth the wife of Samuel Powel Esqr. Rich- 
ard, Abigail, Joseph who died an infant, James, 
and Margaret the wife of Robert Hare. My 
Father died of a Nervous or Gaol Fever the 
30th of November, 1754, in the 45th year of his 
age, this disorder then prevailed much in Phila- 
delphia. He was particularly exposed to it by 



122 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

his office of Mayor, to which he had then been 
appointed for the second time, and which office 
he had filled with distinguished honour to him- 
self and satisfaction to the public. By great 
industry, care and ability, he acquired and left 
a clear Estate of about £20,000 sterling, and 
raised on a Capital of £500 sterHng given him by 
his Father, and the like sum given him by his 
Aunt Dorothy Mayne. He was a very healthy 
man, yet died in the prime of life. In his per- 
son he was of a handsome manly figure, rather 
tall and full made, of a healthy, fresh com- 
plexion. Cheerful in his temper and behaviour, 
he was affable and courteous to all, but remark- 
ably kind and affectionate to his family and 
particular friends. As a Merchant, he was emi- 
nently distinguished for his abilities and enter- 
prising spirit — by which he extended and enlarged 
the trade of Pennsylvania — as well as his Can- 
dour and Integrity. As a citizen he was greatly 
useful, and therefore universally regretted. 

"To all my descendants, who may read this true 
and faithful account of my worthy progenitor, I have 
only to say, that it is my earnest prayer, that they 
emulate his character and virtues, and never disgrace 
the much honoured stock they have sprung from. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 23 

"By transplanting his family into this Country, 
he has placed our lot in a Land of Freedom, a 
wholesome climate, and goodly soil. By his own 
good conduct, and the consequent esteem of his 
fellow citizens, he has given us a letter of ex- 
tensive credit, to which I have found due honour 
in every part of the mercantile world — He has 
paved the way for a favourable reception to us 
all. I have not, I hope and trust, placed any 
thorne in the path; and I flatter myself, that 
those who follow me, will still keep it clear as 
long as our name shall be remembered. 

"My Father was one of the first Trustees, and 
one of the founders of the College and Academy 
in Philadelphia in the year 1750. 

"As to myself, I was the eldest of Eleven 
Children and was bom on the 19th of Decem- 
ber, 1 73 1. Before I was nine years old, I was 
sent to England to my Grandfather, who placed 
me at school at Wells in Somersetshire, under 
the care of the Rev. Robert Wheeler, with him 
I remained about four years and a half. In 
September 1748, I went to London, and spent 
six months at Watt's Academy in Windmill, St. 
On the 19th of May 1749, I returned to Phila- 
delphia, where I served my Father in his count- 



124 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

ing house till his return from England in Octo- 
ber 1751. 

"In the execution of his business during his 
absence, I had given him so much satisfaction, 
that he took me into partnership with him. This 
continued to his death Nov. 30th, 1754, at 
which time, I think I had — with the profits of 
our Trade, the amount of a small estate at Quad- 
ring in Lincolnshire which descended to me from 
my Great Aunt Dorothy Mayne, and which my 
Father sold for me while in England at the price 
of £550 Sterling, and the legacies left me by my 
Father — about six thousand pounds sterling clear 
estate. The constant, but necessary attention 
to my business, and the affairs of my Father's 
estate and large family of young children, 
prevented my marrying till the year 1763, at 
which time, on the 9th of June, it was my happy 
lot to marry Anne McCall then in her nineteenth 
year, one of the most deserving of her sex. She 
was the eldest daughter of Samuel McCall by his 
wife Ann Searle, and Granddaughter of George 
McCall, both then dead, but who had been very 
respectable Merchants of this City. The latter 
was a Scotchman by birth, and came here early 
in the present century. He was much of a Gen- 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 25 

tleman, and died possessed of a handsone fortune 
besides 14,000 acres of land at Manatawney, in 
Philadelphia County confirmed to him by act of 
Assembly in 1735. By my affectionate and be- 
loved wife, who died the 5th of Feb'y 1781, I 
have thirteen children, viz: 

"Anne, now married to Wm. Bingham. 

Charles, who died in 1765. 

Charles, the second of the name and now living. 

Thomas Mayne, called after Dorothy Mayne. 

Elizabeth, my fifth child. 

George, who died in 1769. 

Mary, my seventh child. 

Dorothy, my eighth child. 

George, the second of the name and now living. 

Richard, my tenth child. 

Abigail, my eleventh child. 

William Shippen, called after my Uncle Wm. 
Shippen. 

Henry, my last child, who died in 1781. 

"In 1754, I attended the General Congress of 
all the Provinces at Albany as Assistant Secre- 
tary, to the Delegates of this Province. 

"In 1758 I was appointed one of the Commis- 
sioners by Law, for carrying on the Trade of 



126 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Pennsylvania with the Western Indians, then in 
Alliance with Great Britain, and held this Trust 
in behalf of the Public about seven years. 

"In October 1763, I was elected Mayor of Phila- 
delphia. In October, 1764, I was chosen Mem- 
ber of Assembly for the City, and continued my 
seat until I resigned it in 1767, being then ap- 
pointed one of the Justices of Supreme Court. 
This station I kept till Feb'y 1777; when our 
Government being then changed, this trust passed 
into other hands, but I was the last who acted 
in Office of those who had held commissions un- 
der the old Constitution. In the year 1774, I 
was President of the Provincial Congress, and in 
the years 1775 and 1776 was appointed a Dele- 
gate in the Congress of the United States for 
this State; and was present when the vote of 
Independence was passed in Congress in 1776. 

"I voted against this Declaration in Congress, 
not only because I thought America at that time 
unequal to such a Conflict, as must ensue — hav- 
ing neither Arms, Ammunity, or Military Experi- 
ence — ^but chiefly because the Delegates of Penn- 
sylvania were not then authorized by their in- 
structions from the Assembly, or the voice of the 
People at large, to join in such a vote. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 27 

"On the 2nd of November, 1781, I was chosen 
President of the National Bank, ^^in which sta- 
tion I have continued till this time, having been 
unanimously re-elected at each Annual Election, 
and having received the thanks of the stock- 
holders for my services at the General Meeting, 
together with a present from them of five shares 
of stock as a further mark of their approbation. 

"In giving the foregoing account of my Ances- 
tors, and those of my Children too, no apology 
is necessary. They have all been worthy char- 
acters, and deserve to be remembered; but, as I 
have gone into some particulars respecting my- 
self, and wish to avoid the imputation of vanity 
or self-adulation, it behooves me to assign the 
reason for the recital, unentertaining and there- 
fore uninteresting to the world at large, but to 
my children it may be of use. It offers to them 
a lesson of Example which often strikes the 
youthful mind more forcibly than Precept. 

"I have been greatly successful in my endeav- 
ours to increase my fortune; I have enjoyed as 
much domestic happiness as most men, and have 
received many flattering marks of public esteem 
and confidence. I have through life, enjoyed 

^^This was the Bank of North America, in Philadelphia. 



128 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

great good health, and at this day am free from 
any of those complaints which often attend a 
life of less regularity and Sobriety. My success 
in life has not been derived from superior abili- 
ties, or extensive knowledge, a very small and 
scanty share of either having fallen to my lot; 
therefore it can only be ascribed to a steady 
application to whatever I have undertaken, a 
civil and respectful deportment to all my fellow 
Citizens, and an honest and upright conduct in 
every transaction of life. 

"I cannot boast a descent from any of noble 
blood, or high rank, in the estimation of the 
world, yet our forefathers have left us a nobler 
claim of inheritance than those alone can give. 
They have been worthy honest people, and left 
a character perfectly unsullied. 

"The purity of the stream has not been pol- 
luted by me, and I fondly flatter myself it 
never will be by any descending from me. 

"Thomas Willing. 

"Bank of the United States, 
August 25th, 1802 
"Having accidentally taken up and read the 
foregoing paper, I think proper, with a grateful 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 129 

sense of the favours and mercies I have received 
from the Supreme Being, to note, that although 
a Malignant Fever has raged with great violence 
in Philadelphia in the years 1793, 1797, 1798 
and 1799, and although so many instances of its 
direful effects have happened within the last 
five or six weeks, as to induce about one-fourth 
part of the Inhabitants to retire to the Country, 
yet, blessed be God! I have escaped without — 
excepting in 1793 I had a slight attack of said 
Yellow and then contageous fever — and am now 
in perfect health, and by the favour and confi- 
dence of my Fellow Citizens am still in the exe- 
cution of the Office of President of this Institu- 
tion. 

"Thomas Willing." 

Thomas Willing to Richard Bassett of 
Delaware.*^ 
"Bank, Feb. the 6th, 1786. 
"Richard Bassett, EsQ^ 

"Sir: — I have this moment the Honor of yours 
of the 3^^ inst., covering the Charter granted to 
the Bank of North America by the Patriotick 
Legislature of the Delaware State. It is too late 

^** Original Minute book of the Bank of North America. 



130 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

this Evening to lay it before the Directors, and 
your Express is anxious to go off early in the 
morning. Therefore I can only say for myself 
that I feel in the highest Degree the Obligation 
the Institution is under to the State of Delaware 
for thus kindly taking us by the Hand, and giv- 
ing us their protection, at a Time when our mis- 
guided Assembly here, have Attempted most un- 
reasonably to crush and destroy us. 

"I thank you for the Service you have done us, 
on this Occasion, and you may depend on the 
Warmest Zeal on my part to render every Serv- 
ice to your State, and the many Worthy Indi- 
viduals of it, whenever it falls within my Line 
of Duty, either in the station I now have the 
Honor to fill, or as an Inhabitant of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

"I am. Sir, with the highest respect, 

"V much Obliged humb. Serv*, 
"Thomas Willing, Pres*^*," 



willing letters and papers. i3i 

"Advertisement of 
Willing, Morris and Swanwick.'*' 

**For sale, in Penn Street. 
* * * * 

"Hyson and Bohea Teas, in whole, half and 
quarter chests, of the last importation from 
China. 

French cambricks, lawns, silks and sattins, 

Mens and womens plain and coloured gloves. 

Gold lace, India and French chintzes and cal- 
licoes. 

Italian silks, silk handkerchiefs and oil cloth 
umbrellas. 

Scotch threads, checks, buckrams, rattinets, etc.. 

Queens ware, China plates etc, in crates and 
boxes, 

Marble chimney pieces, slabs and paving tiles, 

Zant currents in barrels. 

Roll brimstone in boxes. 

Old Martinique coffee in bags 

French brandy in pipes. 

Claret in boxes, of three and four dozen each, 

Madeira, Teneriff and Sherry wines. 

"May 6, 1786" 

*' Pennsylvania Gaz,, May 10, 1786, No. 2919. 



132 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

The following minute in the handwriting of 
Thomas Willing is on a separate sheet of 
paper inserted in the original minute book of 
the Bank of North America. This paper is thus 
endorsed on the back: "Minutes of the Di- 
rectors on the Bank Charter now before the 
Assembly Nov. 23'^, 1786." 

"At a Meeting of the Directors of the Bank 
of North America On Thursday, the 23rd of 
November, 1786 
"Present: 

I — Thomas Willing, Pre* 

2 — Thomas Fitzsimmons 

3 — John Nixon 

4 — Samuel Powel 

5— John M. Nesbitt 

6 — John Ross 

7 — Richard Bache 

8 — Andrew Tybond 

9 — Josiah Hewes 
"Mr. Nixon and Mr. Powel were appointed 
a Committee to advise w\ Mr. Wilson whether 
the Directors will be justifiable in receiv^. 
from the Legislature of Pen. a Charter for a 
limited time or in any other particular differing 
in its Modification from the Congress Charter. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 33 

"The Committee hav^. consulted w*. Mr. Wilson 
as Council on the above Question report, That 
he is decidedly of Opinion 'that the Modifi- 
cation of the Bank Charter as to limitation 
of Time or Capital will not effect the Congress 
Charter, and that it will not be improper for 
the Directors to receive such Charter from the 
Legislature of Pennsylv^.'" 

Thomas Willing to William Bingham at 

New York.^2 

"1788 May 6 
"My Dear Sir 

"Altho. I am not fond of writing on political sub- 
jects, yet when I see the spirit of my friends flag 
& despond, & as I think, without any substantial 
cause, I can't help administering a little Comfort, 
now it is in my power — Other members of the Vir- 
ginia Convention whose letter's you have seen, 
may be left sanguine than y"" fr. Corbin; but 
it don't follow, that he has judg'd amiss in 
expressing his belief & hopes. I hate your 
lukewarm patriots — he wrote as he tho^ & 
what is more, as he wished too. I honor him 
for it, and for the trouble he gives himself 

*^ From the Library of Congress. 



134 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

to comfort the friends of the New Constitu- 
tion here by his frequent letters to you & to 
D^ Rush on the subject. I believe you'l find 
y^ he has not been greatly wrong with respect 
to the final issue of the business — I have just 
seen a letter from Mr. Madison w*" gives me 
hopes, & warm well founded One's too, y* all 
will go right, it's dated on the iS**". Another 
from M"". S. Smith of Baltimore with an ex- 
tract from Gov. Randolph's letter of the i8*^ 
to him — in this the Gov"", says — "the number 
of the voting members is i68 — of w*" 76 are 
decided Antifederalists — 82 as firm for the adop- 
tion — Ten who have never yet declared them- 
selves, but y*' he had the best assurances that 
one half were with us, & since the Scruples of 
some had been quieted by a peculiar form of 
Ratification, which will be offere'd — but after 
all, it will be unfortunate to decide such a 
question by so small a Majority — and I am 
restrained from pressing previous Amendments, 
by the Conviction that it will hazard the Union 
& are unattainable; the number's on each side 
are so respectable, y* they command equal 
respect & deference." 

"Since writ^ the above from memory, I 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. I35 

have got a Copy of the above letter, & send 
it you herewith. I dare say you'd sleep the 
better for it — I have some reason to believe y* 
the Kentucky Member's will not vote on the 
Question — they expect to become "a separate 
State, & therefore by stand^ aloof may here- 
after make better Terms — at least they 

this is the state as far as we have grounds for 
Calculation before any question has been taken — 



a more 
in than 

— they believe so — I had wrote thus far when 
I got an Extract of M' Madison's letter w^ 
you have No. 2 — ^Adieu! I have been inter- 
rupted 40 times since I began this scrawl. 
Nancy & the girls are quite well, & so is 

"Y"" affectionate fr — 
"When you write next to my Daughter D — 
I desire you will treat her as a Child, & not 
put it into her head, poor babe; that she is 
now, or soon ought to be a fine Lady — such 
language is enough to turn the head of any 
Brat in town — The Scotch Sash is very pretty — " 



136 willing letters and papers. 

Thomas Willing to William Bingham at 
New York/^ 

"My Dear Sir 

"I rec^ y^^ of the 30th ult by the post yester- 
day, and have sent forward the letter from 
Mr. Kearney by a near neighbour of his. I saw 
Col° Howard pass by last night and don't 
hear y* he is ab^ to leave town before our 
Gala day is over. 

"From my heart I congratulate you on the 
news from Virginia, their Ratification has put 
an end to the dying faction here, and will 
totally extinguish the flame w^ a few only of 
this city had kindled in the Western Country. 

"Pickering's captivity in North*^ County has 
not any connection with the federal question, 
it is purely an ill judg'd step to retaliate for 
the capture of Franklin who is still in our 
Gaol. 

"I write this only to send you a copy of M"". 
Madison's letter to T. Coxe, it is pleasing to 
see that the great business has been conducted 
with so much regularity. Other letters say "that 
the greater part of the minority at Richmond 

*^ From the Simon Gratz collection. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 137 

have declared their intentions to assist the 
federal Government now that a majority have 
agreed to accept it, and say that their votes 
in many instances were given in compliance 
with their instructions, tho. contrary to their 
own private inclinations and judgment." 

"Nancy and all other's whom you care for are 
perfectly well, except yr. poor brother. Adieu! 
I am truly sorry for your very long detention 
from us — but remember y^ an absence now 
may cost you and others many long year's of 
the like inconvenience hereafter. As to the 
request you make respectg certain advances 
to the Public, we'l let it alone till I see you 
here. Once more farewell. 

"I am affectionately yours, 

THO^ Willing. 
"Bank July 2^ 1788." 

Thomas Willing to Jasper Yeates, Esq. at 
Lancaster.** 

"Bank Jan''^ 17™, 1789." 
"Sir 

"Agreeable to yotir request, I have invested 

the 720 D'"^ you sent me by Latimore in the 

^ Volume of Blackwell and Willing Letters {Wallace Papers Volume 
IV) in the Historical Society of Pemisylvania. 



138 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

purchase of two Shares of Bank Stock transfer'd 
to you this day by George Simpson, which at 
a discount of 10 pet. costs you exactly the 
Money which you did me the honor of entrust- 
ing to my disposal. I have lodg'd these Shares 
in the hands of our very worthy friend & Kins- 
man M^ Burd, which I suppose will meet 
your approbation. 

"I sent M"" Burd word, that I had two more 
at my command, there is more who want just 
now to buy, than to sell; and as he told me 
some time ago that he tho* you wish'd to have 
more, it wou'd have given me pleasure to have 
assisted in y' accomodation on this Occasion, 
as it will ever do on any other. 

"I am. Sir, with perfect Esteem 

Y^ Obed' hum Serv*. 

THO^ Willing." 

Thomas Willing to Alexander Donald, Esq. 

Richmond, Virginia.*^ 

"Phil^ Sept'^ 3'' 1789. 
"Sir 

"Having rec'd y^ fav' of the nth Ult° & attend^ 

fully to all you say, respecting your commencing 

From Letters of Members of the Old Congress — {Dreer manuscripts) 
in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 39 

a Suit ags* Coll° Harrison at present, & the delays 
which in such Case, he will have in his power 
to create, as well as what you propose respect^ 
the federal Court, & the kind offer you make 
of doing me all the Service in y^ power, if left 
to your managem*. I have determined to do so, 
fully confiding in y*^ kind endeavours to serve 
me in this very tedious & cruel delay of justice. 
It now embarrasses me much to be kept longer 
out of Money w^ I have so long paid on this 
Gentlemans Account — he can't make me amends 
for the trouble & anxiety he has given me — 
nor will the Interest of money whenever he 
pays it off, make me amends for the Sacrifice 
which I have been forced to make of property 
sold at less than it's value to pay his debt for 
him, when the judgment was obtained ags* me. 
*'You know that M^ Eppes took a mortgage 
of negroes, ''as he said fully sufficient to cover 
this debt," & that he wrote to me to bring a 
Suit for recovery of my demand — now it may 
be proper for you to have his consent to post- 
pone the Action ags* ColP Harrison, or else 
perhaps I may hereafter be charg'd with neglect^ 
an opportunity while the Debt might have been 
will secured — If you were to speak to M' 



140 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Eppes on the Subject perhaps he may approve 
of the delay as well as y"" hum. Serv*. 

Tho^ Willing. 

"M'' Alex'' Donald. 

"I can believe in its fullest extent, what you 
say ab* the property offered for sale by the 
Coll° when he does not even propose to pay 
anything out of his Crop this year; every part 
of which wou'd most certainly sell for ready 
Money & a good price too; at least I may say 
so of his Wheat & Com — If he wou'd ship any 
part of either or of both to this Market I wou'd 
sell it to the best advantage free of Commis- 
sion — 

Wheat is now 71/ per bus. of 60 lbs. 
Corn at 3/9 pe^ d°" 

Resolution of the President and the 

Directors of the First Bank 

OF THE United States.*^ 

"At a meeting of the Directors of the Bank of 
the United States, December 29th, 1791. — 

*^ From the Emmet manuscripts in the New York Public 
Library. 



willing letters and papers. i4i 

"Resolved 

"That the President be authorized to appoint 

such persons as he thinks proper in the several 

States to receive all Interest due to the Bank of 

the United States on the first day of January next. 

"In Testimony whereof I have caused 

the Seal of said corporation to be 

hereunto affixed this eleventh day 

of January 1792. 

"Thos. Willing, 

''Prestr 

Resolution of the President and the 
Directors of the First Bank of the 
United States.*^ 
"At a Meeting of the Directors of the Bank of 
the United States, Friday, 6th April, 1792. 

"Resolved, 

"That the President be empowered to appoint 
a person or persons to receive all Interest due or 
to grow due, on any public Debt standing in 
the Name of the President, Directors, and Com- 
pany of the Bank of the United States on the 
Books of the Com^ of Loans in any of the States. 

^^ From Bank of the United States {Etting Papers) in the Histor- 
ical Society of Pennsylvania. 



142 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto caused 
the Seal of said Corporation to be affixed, the 
14th Day of July, 1792. 

Tho^ Willing, 

Prest. 

"Attest 

John Kean 

Cash^r 

Superscription — "The President Directors & C° of 
the Bank of the United States 
to 
John Hopkins 
General Power to receive Interest 
on Public Debt Stock 
lodged July 21st 1792." 

"Agreement between Alexander Hamilton, 

Secretary of Treasury of the United 

States and 

The President, Directors and Co. 

OF THE Bank of the United 

States.** 
"June 25, 1792. 

"Agreement between Alexander Hamilton Secre- 
tary of the Treasury of the United States, by 

**Froin Bank of the United States {Etting Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. I43 

virtue of authority from the President of the 
United States, on behalf of the United States, 
of the one part, and the President, Directors and 
Company of the Bank of the United States of 
the other part. 

"Whereas in and by the Act intitiled An Act 
to incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of the 
United States, it is among other things enacted 
in the words following "That it shall be lawful 
for the President of the United States, at any 
time or times, within eighteen months after the 
first day of April next to cause a subscription to 
be made to the Stock of the said Corporation, 
as part of the aforesaid Capital Stock of Ten 
millions of Dollars, on behalf of the United 
States, to an amount not exceeding Two millions 
of Dollars; to be paid out of the monies which 
shall be borrowed by virtue of either of the Acts 
the one entitled, An Act making provision for 
the debt of the United States; and the other 
entitled an Act making provision for the reduc- 
tion of the public debt, borrowing of the Bank 
an equal sum, to be applied to the purposes, 
for which the said Monies shall have been pro- 
cured; reimbursable in Ten years, by equal annual 
installments; or at any time sooner, or in any 



144 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

greater proportions, that the Government may 
think fit." 

"And Whereas for carrying into execution the 
said provision the President by writing under 
his hand bearing date the 9th day of May last 
past, did authorize the said Secretary to sub- 
scribe by one or more subscriptions on behalf 
and in the Name of the United States for such 
number of Shares of and in the Capital Stock 
of the said Corporation as together should 
amount to Two millions of dollars and the same 
to pay for out of any monies which have been 
or shall be borrowed by virtue of either of the 
Acts the one entitled "An Act making provision 
for the debt of the United States" and the other 
entitled "An Act making provision for the 
reduction of the public debt" and did further 
authorize the said secretary to borrow of the 
said Corporation for and on account of the 
United States an equal sum, namely Two mil- 
lions of Dollars to be applied to the same pur- 
poses for which the said Monies shall have been 
procured and to be reimbursable in Ten years by 
equal annual installments or at any time sooner 
or in any greater proportions that the Govern- 
ment may think fit. Provided that the Interest 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. I45 

thereof should not exceed the rate of six per 
Centum per annum, and did also empower the 
said Secretary to enter into and conclude with 
the said Corporation such contracts and agree- 
ments as should be necessary for fulfilling the 
purposes aforesaid promising to ratify whatever 
he should lawfully do in the premises. 

"Now THEREFORE THESE PRESENTS WITNESS 

That it hath been agreed and it is hereby 
agreed by and between the parties aforesaid as 
follows, to wit — 

"First — The said Secretary of the Treasury 
forthwith after the execution of these Presents 
shall pursuant to the authority to him given as 
aforesaid subscribe in some proper book at the 
said Bank in the name and on behalf of the 
United States for Five thousand Shares of and 
in the Capital Stock of the said Corporation. 

"Secondly — The subscription so to be made 
shall be deemed to have been made on the 
twentieth day of December last past and the 
said United States shall be deemed to have 
become on the said day and shall be proprie- 
tors of the said Five thousand shares of and in 
the said Capital Stock, subject to the conditions 
and agreements hereinafter specified. 



146 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"Thirdly — The amount of the said Five thou- 
sand shares, namely Two MilHons of Dollars 
shall be payable in moieties, one moiety upon 
the day of the execution of these Presents, the 
other moiety on the first day of July next. 

"Fourthly — The said Corporation upon the 
payment of each of the said Moieties shall forth- 
with lend, advance and pay a sum equal to 
such moiety to the United States to bear an 
Interest at the rate of six per Centum per 
Annum, subject to the terms of reimbursement 
in the Act aforesaid specified. — 

"Fifthly — ^As the dividend upon the said first 
moiety will begin to accrue on the said 20th 
day of December last past, the Interest upon the 
loan which shall be first made pursuant to the 
article next preceding, that is to say upon the 
principal sum of one Million of Dollars shall 
begin to accrue upon the said 20th day of 
December last and the Interest upon the said 
Second loan of one Million of Dollars shall begin 
to accrue upon the said first day of July next. — 

"Sixthly — The Interest upon the said loans 
shall be payable and paid half yearly, that is to 
say the first half yearly payment shall be made 
on the first day of July next and thereafter a 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 47 

half yearly payment shall be made on the first 
day's of January and July in each year until the 
final reimbursement of the said Loans. 

"In TESTIMONY WHEREOF The Said Secretary 
hath hereunto subscribed his hand and caused to 
be affixed the seal of the Treasury of the United 
States, and the said President, Directors and 
Company have hereunto caused to be affixed the 
Seal of the said Corporation. Done at Phila- 
delphia the Twenty-fifth day of June x x in 
the year one thousand seven hundred and 
ninety-two. 

Alexander Hamilton, 

Sec'y of the Treasy. 
Tho^ Willing Pres\ 
"Attest 

John Kean 

Cashrr 

Document relating to the First Bank 
OF the United States.'*^ 

"We Thomas WilHng President & John Kean 
Cashier of the Bank of the United States acknowl- 

*^ From Ba7ik of the United States {Etting Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



148 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

edge to have received from Citizen La Forest 
Consul General of the French Republic and act- 
ing in that capacity, an Order drawn by the 
Minister of the French Republic upon the Secre- 
tary of the Treasury of the United States dated 
loth July 1794 for Thirty one thousand Five hun- 
dred Eighty One Dollars & three Cents which 
order is lodged in consequence of the Bank of 
the United States having become Guarantees 
for the performance of three Charter Parties 
entered into in New York by the French Repub- 
lic for the Freight of the Bristol Maria & Atlas — 
Now we promise that upon the Bank of the 
United States being fully discharged & acquitted 
from any responsibility by consequence of said 
Guarantee that we will account with the said 
Citizen La Forest or any person duly author- 
ized for the said order or its proceeds. 

"In witness whereof we have hereunto sett our 
hands this 14th July 1794. 

"Tho" Willing Fre^. 
John Kean 

Casicr 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 49 

On THE BACK OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENT THERE 
IS THE FOLLOWING ENDORSEMENT: 

**I promise to lay in the Bank of the United 
States the Sum of Thirty one thousand five 
hundred and Seventy one Dollars and three 
Cents being the amount of the security given 
by the President & directors of the Said Bank 
for the performance of the Charter Parties agreed 
with the owners of the Bristol, Maria, & Atlas, 
by the Legation of the French Republic untill 
it is known that they had their effects. 

"Done in Philadelphia this 6th day of Messidor, 

2^ year of the French Republic, being the 24th 

of June 1794 (O. S.) 

"Th. Fauchet" 

Document Relating to the First Bank 
OF the United States.^" 

"Agreement Between Alex. Hamilton and 
the Pres. & Directors & Co. of the 
Bank of the United States 

"Agreement between Alexander Hamilton 
Secretary of the Treasury on behalf of the 

^" From Bank of the United States (Etting Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 



150 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

United States of the one part; and the President 
Directors & Company of the Bank of the United 
States of the other part; made January the 
Twenty eighth 1795. 

"The said President Directors & Company 
shall forthwith transfer or cause to be transferred 
into the name of Mess"^^ Wilhem & Ian Willink 
& Nicholas & I Van Staphorst & Hubbard 
Agents for the United States at Amsterdam the 
Sum of Five hundred Thousand Dollars Stock 
of the United States bearing a present interest 
of Six per centum per Annum. 

*'The Secretary of the Treasury shall cause to 
be paid for the said Stock a Sum in lawful 
current money of Five hundred thousand Dollars, 
one fifth thereof on the first day of August; an- 
other fifth part thereof on the first day of 
September, another fifth part thereof on the 
first day of October, and the remaining two fifth 
parts thereof on the first day of November next; 
together with Interest upon so much as shall at 
any time remain unpaid to commence on the 
first day of this present month and to be paid 
half yearly. 

"In Witness whereof the said Secretary of the 
Treasury hath caused the Seal of the Treasury 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. I5I 

to be affixed to these Presents and hath here- 
unto subscribed his hand, and the said President 
Directors and Company have also caused the 
Seal of the Bank of the United States to be 
affixed to the same the day & year aforesaid. 

"Tho^ Willing Pres^ of the Bank 
OF THE U. S." 

A Deed of Gift of Thomas Willing 

"Know all Men by these Presents that I 
Thomas Willing of Philadelphia in Consideration 
of the affection I bear to my Sister in Law 
Margaret M'^Call and of the Sum of One 
Dollar by her to me in hand paid the receipt 
whereof I do hereby acknowledge have granted 
bargained and sold aliened assigned transfer 'd 
and set over to her the said Margaret M'^Call 
her Executors Administrators and Assigns all the 
Right Title and Interest Property Claim and De- 
mand which I have in right of my deceased 
Wife or otherwise of in to or out of the Estate 
of Samuel M^Call deceased who was the Father 
of the said Margaret, as well what was originally 
vested in my said Wife by the Will of the 
said Samuel M'^Call as what she became en- 



152 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

titled to by the deaths of her Brothers and 
Sisters testate or intestate and I do hereby em- 
power the said Margaret M'^Call for me and 
in my Name but to her own Use to receive all 
Sum and Sums of Money due or coming to me 
as aforesaid from the Estate of the said Samuel 
M^Call and Acquittance for the same in due 
form of Law to make and execute. 

"Witness my Hand and Seal this Seventeenth 
Day of March A. D. 1798. 

"Sealed and Delivered Thos. Willing 

in the Presence of 

John Wilson 

R. O. B. Oliphant" 

Thomas Willing to Henry Kuhl.^^ 

"Sir 

"M"" Anthony promised to deliver to you yester- 
day a notice w^ Mr. Francis had rec'd for a 
note of Mr. Bingham's 4900 D^^ due the 17/20 
Ins^ and to desire you to hold it over till we 
meet to-morrow. I presume Mr. B has sent me 
a note to renew the above, but it has not yet 
come to hand. 

^^ From the Simon Gratz collection. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 53 

"I now send you two Notes w*" youl pass one 
to the credit of T W F and the other to the c' 
of Jas. Proudfit and of course charge each w*" 
the corresponding notes due from them this day. 
You have no doubt charg'd me w^ my note due 
y'day of 500 D". 

"Mr. Anthony has no doubt told you of our 
resolution to open our business at our office in 
Germantown next Monday, let us see you to- 
morrow as early as you can, say half past nine 
o'clock. I hope our Officers are well, for them as 
well as for you, I have the most anxious concern. 

Yrs with great Esteem 

Tho^ Willing. 
"Greenhill 

Sept. 20th, 1798 

Addressed to Henry Kuhl, Esq' 
Bank U. S. 
by Doctor Proudfit." 

Thomas Willing to Mr. Burrall.^^ 
"Sir 

"I have just rec*d y""' respect^ the offer of M"" 

Clason, & hav^ shown the papers to a few of 

our Directors, we have concluded that it is best 

to close directly with the proposal of M^ Clason. 

^^ From the Library of Congress. 



154 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"We rely on the opinion you give respecting 
Mr. Clason's solidity — the time of payment being 
postponed is of no consequence, as he is to pay 
the Interest — ^As soon as you have fully arranged 
the business, & tell us you have the Notes in pay- 
ment — the Attachments shall be withdrawn here. 
I am Sir &c., 

Tho^ Willing, Pres\ 
"Bank U. S. 

Feb^ 3^ 1800 

M''. BURRALL 

Cashier,'" 

Thomas Willing to Albert Gallatin.^^ 

• "Bank United States 

August 19™ 1801 
"Sir 

"Your favor of the 11*^ instant, was presented 
to our Directors yesterday, and was received 
with much pleasure & satisfaction. 

"We thank you for the list of names which it 
enclosed, and particularly for the caution and 
candoiir manifested, in the account given of their 
qualifications. 

"We have now the honor to send you the reso- 
lution's passed by a full board at our meeting 

^^From Library of Congress. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 55 

on the 18 instant, in relation to the establish- 
ment of an office of Discount & Deposit, at the 
City of Washington, and which, we flatter our- 
selves, will answer the objects of Government, 
without being in any way injurious, or incon- 
venient to the parent Institution. 

"You will observe we have fixed the 15*^ of next 
month as the day of election for 9 Directors, if 
such a number of suitable characters, and quali- 
fied by being Stockholders, can be found. We 
shall in the meantime, as becomes us, use our 
best endeavours to find out such men as, we 
think, may best be confided in; and if we find 
they are not Stockholders at that day, which 
the law requires them to be, we can let their 
names be known, so that they may each procure, 
before a short day, to which the Election may 
be postponed, the requisite qualification. 

I am Sir, 
for the President, Directors &c., of 
the Bank United States 
with high respect 
your obed* 

Tho^ Willing Prest. — 
"Albert Gallatin, Esq"" 
Secretary of the Treasury 
of the United States 
at 
"Washington." 



156 willing letters and papers. 

Joseph Clay 
Jos. Habersham 



>T0 Thomas Willing.^* 



"Sir/ 

On the ii**" Instant we addressed you by 
Post upon the subject of the purchase of a 
suitable House for the establishment of a Bank 
in this City and transmitted by that conveyance 
a plan of the buildings offered to us for that 
purpose. 

"Since that we have received a Letter from 
M'. Stephen Elliott, a Copy of which you have 
enc'osed, offering another brick building for nine 
thousand dollars, which in our opinion is more 
eligibly situated for the Bank than the other as 
far as security against fire is an object, as you 
will perceive by the plan of the buildings, that 
will be forwarded to you by Post on the 19**" 
Instant. After being in possession of all the 
information we can give you on the Subject, it 
must be left with you to determine which of the 
two buildings combine the most advantages for 
the intended Bank if you should determine to 
purchase one of them for that purpose. 

^* Volume of Swijt and Willing Letters {Batch Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 157 

"M^ Young is out of Town and M'. Gibbons 
from what has passed between M^ Wallace and 
himself relative to the purchase of his house 
does not think himself at liberty to write to 
you on this occasion. 

"We are with great Respect 
Sir 
y mo obed servants 

Joseph Clay 
Jos. Habersham 

"Savannah 

"i8'^ March 1802 
Thomas Willing esq^ 
President of the 
Bank of the 
United States." 

Superscription — " Thomas Willing esquire 

President of the 

1 Bank of the United 
Ceres Cap*. ( ^, , 

1 States 

Burnham f -nu-i ^ 1 i,- »» 

Philadelphia 



158 willing letters and papers. 

Document Relating to the First Bank 
OF THE United States.^^ 
"Bank United States 
"To Thomas Willing, President, Dr 
"1802 
March 31 , To one quarter's Salary due this)^ 

day at $3000 per Annum j 

Received Payment 

Tho" Willing Pres'y 

Barbe Marbois to Messrs. Willing and 
Francis.^^ 

"MiNISTERE DU TreSOR PUBLIC — BUREAU Du 
MiNISTRE — TrIPLICATA 

13, Septembre, 1803 
Paris, le 26 Fructidor, an 11 de la 
Republique Frangaise, une et indivisible. 

Le Ministre Du Tresor Public 

"A Messieurs Willing & Francis, Banquiers 

Philadelphie. 

. "Messieurs Hope te Compagnie d' Amsterdam, 
vous ont sans doute donne connoissance. Mes- 
sieurs, des propositions qui m'ont ete faites par 

^^ Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 

^^ From the Emmett Manuscripts in the New York Public Library. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 159 

Mr. Alexandre Baring leur fonde de pouvoirs, et 
que j'ai acceptees, celui ci qui a fait voile de Deal 
le 14 Aout dernier, vous aura informe de tout 
ce qui est relatif a cette affaire. Les dits 
Sieurs Hope et compagnie ont pris 1' engagement 
de realiser a Philadelphie et de remettre sur les 
traites du Caissier general du Tr^sor de la Re- 
publique Frangaise, a soixante jours de vue fixe, 
une somme de 2,000,000 francs, ou Trois cent 
soixante cinq mille six cent vingt cinq dollars, 
et j'ai, en Execution de Tengagement de ces 
Messieurs, autorise le Caissier general a tirer sur 
vous cinq traites de 73,125 ($) chacune, sous la 
date du 12 Fructidor an XI (30 Aout 1803) a 
Tordre du Cm. Pichon, commissaire des Rela- 
tions Commercials de la Republique Fran^aise 
aux Etats Unis. Ces traites sont parties pour 
leur destination. 

"Je vous prie de me donner avis de leur pre- 
sentation a I'acceptation et de la date de leur 
acquittement. Les fonds de ces effets sont 
destines au service des colonies Fran^aises, et a 
rembourser les traites que le Payeur de St. 
Domingue a ^te autorise a tirer sur le Cm. 
Pichon a Philadelphie, ou sur la maison de 
Banque qui seroit designee par ce Commissaire. 



l60 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"Comme il seroit possible que la Residence du 
Cm. Pichon ne fut pas Philadelphie, ou que des 
voyages frequents, ou toute autre cause ne lui 
permissent pas de se charger lui meme du ser- 
vice de Tacquittement des traites du payeur de 
St. Domingue, je I'ai autorise a en charger une 
maison de Banque de Votre ville et je lui ai 
designe la votre comme une de celles qui meritent 
a plus juste titre la confiance du Gouvemement 
Fran^ais, persuade que vous vous empresseriez 
de concourir a assurer son service sous les con- 
ditions d' usage dans le Commerce et que vous ne 
laisseriez rien a desirer du cote du zele et du 
devouement avec lequel vous dirigeriez les op- 
erations qui vous seroient confiees. 

"Je vous serai oblige de m'informer par une 
correspondance suivie de tout ce qui pourra etre 
relatif a cette operation. 

"J'ai I'honneur de vous saluer. 

"Barbe Marbois." 

Thomas Willing to Albert Gallatin." 
"Bank U. S. February 12, 1805 
"Sir: 

"Your communication on the subject of the 
British Instalment — having been fully considered 

^' From the Library of Congress. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. l6l 

by a committee of our Board, has this day been 
reported on and the resolution proposed by the 
committee agreed to by the Board of Directors. 

"This resolution I have now the honor to 
transmit, and hope it may meet your appro- 
bation. The 15*^ of September mentioned as 
the latest period for payment in England, will 
still be earlier than it is probable the British 
Government could realize their payment in Lon- 
don in any other way. We therefore hope 
there will be no objection on this point and it 
is a stipulation the more necessary because the 
time we now have to make our purchases is but 
short for securing so large a sum. 

"Knowing the state of our specie you will no 
doubt see the propriety of furnishing us with 
the Treasury drafts to enable us to begin and 
accomplish the undertaking. If you determine 
on it, and can so arrange the payment of the 
instalment so that it can be made in this way 
by Bills, it will be a relief to trade and prevent 
that great distress which the exportation of so 
large a sum in specie would occasion. I shall 
be ready to execute on the part of the Bank any 
instruments or engagement which you may think 
necessary on the occasion. 



162 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"The execution of your orders for the purchase 
of bills at New-York has brought our office 
largely in debt to the other Bank there. If we 
go into contemplated purchase we must expect 
a part of it to be made at Boston, New York, 
Baltimore &c., wherefore it is to be hoped that 
a continuance of other purchases by you may 
not be for some time found necessary. 
"I am, Sir, 

with the greatest respect, 
your obed. 
Tho". Willing Presidtr 
(Endorsed) 

"Philad" Feb^ 12, 1805 
Thomas Willing, Esq\ 

to 
The Secretary of the Treasury." 

Thomas Willing to John Swan Esq., 
AT Baltimore.^* 

"Bank U. S. June 9th 1807 
"Sir 

"The enclosed letter from M' Ja^ Jaffray with 
the printed Advertisement, hav^ been before our 

^* From Letters of Members of the Old Congress {Dreer Manuscripts) 
in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 63 

Board — We now send it to you for information — 
It is on a subject, we do not recollect to have 
before heard of — 

"The letter of Ocf 1796 of w^ he sends a 
Coppy is not on our files — 

"You'l please to tell us the amo^ of the sum 
he claims of the bank, owing, as he says to the 
conduct of y' Cashier — 

"You will, also, let us know y"" Opinion, & 
View of the business, altogether — 
I am Sir 

for the Pres'^ Director & Co. 
of the Bank U. S. 
Y^ Obed' 

Tho^ Willing Pres\ 
"Jno. Swan Esq. 
Pres* of the 

Office of Dis* & Deposit 
^* Baltimore." 

A Resolution of the President and the 

Directors of the First Bank of the 

United States.^" 

"At a meeting of the President & Directors of 

the Bank of the United States, on the twelfth 

^^ From the Library of Congress. 



164 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

day of February 1805, the following report was 
approved — wiz — 

"The Committee to whom was referred a 
confidential letter addressed to Thomas Willing, 
Esquire, President of the Bank of the United 
States, dated Treasury Department Feby 4*^ 
1805 and signed Albert Gallatin, respectfully 
submit the following report: 

"That the Committee having carefully perused 
the letter above referred to, are happy to find 
that the difficulties therein stated to have existed 
and which operated to embarrass the chartered 
Banks at New York, have, in consequence of 
measures pursued by this Board, together with 
the judicious & prompt aid afforded by the 
Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, 
nearly subsided, and they have reason to believe 
will soon be restored to perfect safety. That the 
answer given by the President of this Bank, on 
the 7*^ instant to the letter aforesaid, is, in the 
opinion of the Committee correct and proper, 
and, except the part thereof which respects the 
payment of two hundred thousand pounds sterling 
in Europe, comprehends all that was necessary 
to be offered on the different points submitted 
by the Secretary, of course, the only question 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 65 

which remains to be answered by the Directors 
is, whether they will undertake to remit to 
Europe, on account and risk of this Bank, two 
hundred thousand pounds sterHng, to meet the 
demands of the British Government, which will 
be due on the 15th of July next, from the 
Government of the United States? On this very 
interesting and important question therefore, your 
Committee have bestowed particular attention, 
and, after duly considering the present scarcity 
of specie, and the continued drain thereof in aid 
of commercial pursuits, they cannot doubt of it's 
being the indispensible duty of the Directors of 
this Bank to prevent, at this time, the exporta- 
tion of the precious metals, on which the safety 
of our monied institutions principally depends, 
and under this impression they do not hesitate 
to report in favor of the proposition, and that 
no time may be lost in carrying it into effect, 
they recommend the following resolution: 

"RESOLVED, that this Board accept of the 
proposal made by the Secretary of the Treasury 
of the United States, as contained in his letter 
dated Feby 4*'' 1805, and addressed to the 
President of this Bank, and that they will 
commence the purchase of bills of exchange and 



1 66 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

remit the sum of two hundred thousand pounds 
sterHng to their Agent in London, at the risk 
and expense of this Bank, with directions to pay 
the same to the order of the said Secretary on, 
or if convenient before the fifteenth of September 
next. And in order to accompHsh this object, so 
as to have a full and perfect knowledge thereof, 
the President of this Bank is hereby requested 
to enter into a special agreement with the Sec- 
retary of the Treasury. 

THO^ Willing, Pres\ 
"ATTEST ^ 

G. Simpson, Cash'.'' 

Thomas Willing to Albert Gallatin. 

"Bank of the United States 
March nth, 1805 
"Sir; 

"Late on Friday evening I received yours of the 
5. instant, by which I find it is agreed on your 
part that the Resolution of our Board sent you 
on the 1 2th ultimo shall be carried into execution 
as promptly as possible. 

"On Saturday I called a Board of Directors, 
who agree that the instalment, say £200,000 
Sterling, at par, shall be paid to your order in 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 67 

London by Sir Francis Baring & Co., merchants 
there, who are for this purpose our sole agents, 
at the expence and risque of the Bank. 

**We shall direct those Gentlemen to make the 
payment on the 15. of July, if in their power so 
to do, or at as short a day afterward as they 
can; not delaying the payment of the whole 
beyond the 15. of September, the ultimate point 
of time specified in the abovementioned Reso- 
lution. 

"Our Cashier has this day received the Treas- 
urer's draft for 200,000 dollars, on which, as it 
was payable to the President, Directors & Co., 
I have by my signature as President, endorsed a 
receipt. We have already expended and remitted 
to London the amount of this Treasury Draft, 
and if convenient to you shall be glad to have a 
draft on Boston, and another on New- York for 
whatever sums you can assist us with. 

"If this letter from me, and which is written 
with the concurrence and approbation of a Board 
of Directors, shall be deemed satisfactory by you, 
there will be no occasion for your taking the 
trouble to draft and execute any more formal 
instruments. Your abovementioned letter of 5. 
instant with the original proposal contained in 



1 68 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

that of the 4. February, are perfectly sufficient 
for us. — 

"I have the honor to be, Sir, 
with the highest respect, 
Your obed. 
THO^ Willing Presit." 

Thomas Willing to Albert Gallatin. 

"Bank U. S. April 22° 1808. 
"Sir 

"Having within a few days past, discovered that 
considerable purchases have been made of the 
American dollars, and that more are intended 
soon to be made for the purpose of shipping 
them to India, the Directors being much alarmed 
at such a practice being adopted, have directed 
me to forward you a report of their Committee, 
on this very interesting & important business. 

"In compliance with the request of the Board I 

have now the honor to hand you the report 

approved by our direction — 

and am Sir 

with great respect 
Y^ ob*. hum. Serv* 
(Signed) THO^ Willing Pres^. 
''Honorable 

Albert Gallatin, 
Sect, of the 
Treasury." 



willing letters and papers. 1 69 

Thomas Willing to George Simpson. ^^ 

"Dear Sir 

"The time is at last come, when although 
with regret, I must close my account with our 
late Bk. U. States — ^for this purpose, I now send 
you my bank book, and request that you will 
have it settled as soon as convenient; and that 
you will pass the ballance due to me therein, to 
my Credit on the books of Stephen Girard, 
Banker, by thus fixing my bank Account, I shall 
have the pleasure of continuing my intercourse 
with you, & the other Gentlemen associated with 
you, under the auspices of that enterprising and 
valuable Citizen M'. Girard — 

"I send my book today, because I hear that 
M^ Girard will begin business on Monday — 

I am, as ever, 

Y"" sincere friend 
"PhiP. May i6th, 1812 & hum. Serv^ 

Geo. Simpson Esq\ [The signature is cut off]" 

"Name cut out and 

fixed in Girards firm Book." 

^° From Bank of the United States {Etting Papers) in the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 



170 willing letters and papers. 

Some Verses by Thomas Willing. 
"MY ANSWER 



"On being asked "what exercise I take, and if 
it agreed with me?" 

"When the air is dry, and weather clear, 
From home I rove, both far and near — 
Before it's noon, a league I walk; 
And with my friends I laugh and talk; 
When dinner comes I take my part 
Of food that's plain, not dressed by art; 
This meal gone by, I sit awhile. 
An hour or so, then walk a mile. 

"The day thus spent I go to bed. 
Sweet sleep I have, as cares are fled, 
My limbs at rest, my mind at ease. 
My life resigned, when God may please, 
At that dread hour, to me unknown, 
I hope my fears may all have flown; 
I'll thank my God for mercies past. 
And crave forgivness at the last. 



"'Tis bHndness to the future kindly given. 
That each may fill the circle marked by heaven.' 

—Pope. 
Thos. Willing. 
"Nov. 22, 1812, 

Mrs. Maria P. Willing. 



M61 



*^ Mrs. Maria P. Willing was the daughter of Judge Richard Peters, 
of Belmont. 



willing letters and papers. 171 

Thomas M. Willing to Henry Ralston, 
Philadelphia." 

"Rue de la Paix 22""° July 1830. 

"Dear Harry: 

"I am much obliged to you for your letter 
of the 14 June — ^According to your direction I 
have ordered coat, boots, shoes & Hat & also a 
Paradise feather & Hat for Harriette, which said 
articles are almost ready to leave Paris, and 
shall arrive at the commencement of the Autumn. 

"The Hat was chosen by Madam du Bleutil & 
the Countess de Corrinini who accompanied me 
to purchase it, & both ladies said it was the 
prettiest thing they had seen for a long time. 

"You will observe the feather has the appear- 
ance of being rubbed or eaten a very little at the 
ends, but they are all so, in consequence of the 
wings of the bird trailing upon the ground. It 
was the least so of 30 or 40 & the most beauti- 
ful I could find in a shop which is the best in 
Paris. 

"The above named ladies chose it also & as the 

®^ Volume of Blackwell and Willing Letters {Wallace Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



172 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Countess is a woman of high rank & fashion, & 
also good taste. I hope Harriet will be pleased — 
I have sent everything to Barde & afterwards 
shall settle with Willis — I have been to the Due 
d 'Orleans! & he received me very kindly. The 
Prince of Moskowa is the best fellow in the 
world, He lends me his horses & his opera box, 
& his Mother la Marechale has parties every 
Monday Even'g. La Duchess d'Ortrante has 
parties every friday night where we dance & waltz 
& afterwards drink hot punch. It is all a damd 
mistake about the French not handing around 
refreshments at their evening parties — It is true 
they don't drench you with wine and that beastly 
Brandy &' water, but you have the most deli- 
cious ices in the world & drinks expressed from 
all the fruits in season. The French understand 
it — I was not introduced at the court of St. 
James in consequence of the illness of the King, 
& I now begin to think it is not worth the 
expense. 

"I have spent some very pleasant days in France 
particularly at the Castle of "Maisons" with 
Moskowa & his party — Our amusements were 
pigeon shooting & billiards & afterwards riding 
thro' the forest of St. Germain — He has some 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 73 

very fine hunters— 12 or 14— I must finish now— 
My love to all — 

"I am truly my dear 
Harry yours! 

T. M. Willing." 
Superscription — 

"Mon^ H. Ralston, 

64 Pine St. near 3'"^ 

Philadelphia. 

United States." 

THE WILL OF THOMAS WILLING, 1820. 

"I THOMAS WILLING of the City of Philadel- 
phia in the State of Pennsylvania being of sound 
mind memory and understanding but knowing the 
great uncertainty of this life do make this my last 
Will and Testament — 

"FIRST I resign my Soul to the Almighty Ruler 
of the Universe from whom I received it and by 
whose favour and Protection I possess that portion 
of property which it is my intention by this instru- 
ment to dispose of. 

"WHEREFORE as I have a right and Estate in 
and to about one hundred and twenty two thousand 
Acres of Land part of a larger quantity purchased 
by William Bingham and myself from the State of 



174 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Pennsylvania and surveyed by John Adlum in that 
part of the said State then called the Eighteen Dis- 
tricts Westward of the River Susquehannah and as 
Patents for the same were granted in the name of 
William Bingham only between whom and myself 
no Partition of the said Lands has ever been made, 
it will be proper in case of my death that a division 
of the said Estate be speedily made so as to fix and 
separate my part and share from the part and share 
belonging to William Bingham's representatives in 
such division the like proportion may be allotted 
to each as was agreed and fixed for our parts and 
shares of the part of the said Estate sold to Talon 
a division or adjustment being settled of my part 
or Interest in the above Estate I do hereby give and 
bequeath all my said Lands and Estate as above 
described and mentioned to my four Executors 
hereinafter named and to the Survivors and Survivor 
of them and the heirs of such survivor in trust how- 
ever for this Special use and purpose that the Said 
lands and estate shall or may by them be sold at 
such price in such manner and at such time within 
ten years after my decease as they my Executors 
or a majority of them may think proper and they 
or a majority of them are hereby authorized to 
make such Sale or Sales and to grant or give to the 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 75 

purchaser or purchasers thereof good and Sufficient 
Deeds to Convey the said Estate or any part thereof 
in fee simple as I myself might or could do were I 
then living and present And it is my Will that as 
and when the money has been received by the said 
Trustees for which the said Lands or any part thereof 
has been sold the same shall be divided and paid in 
the following manner and proportion to Say One 
Ninth part thereof in equal Shares to my four 
Grand Children Thomas, Richard, Eliza and George 
Children of my son Charles Willing deceased their 
respective heirs or assigns And the remaining eight 
ninth parts of all money so as above received by 
the said Trustees from any Sales of my said Western 
Lands shall be equally divided and paid to my four 
Sons Thomas M. Willing, George Willing, Richard 
Willing, and William S. Willing, and to my four 
daughters, Elizabeth, Mary, Dorothy and Abigail 
their respective heirs or assigns Share and Share 
alike And in case either of my four sons or four 
daughters shall die before me it is my Will that the 
one ninth part of the money received from the 
Sales of the said Lands or the Share of the said Lands 
as hereby given to him or her so dying before me 
shall be equally paid or the Land granted as the 
case may to his or to her Children when severally 



176 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Twenty One Years of age— FURTHER it is my 
mind and will that the whole or such part of the said 
Lands as may remain unsold at the expiration of 
Ten years after my decease shall be divided into 
nine parts or Lotts in quantity and quality as 
nearly as may be conveniently done by a judicious 
Surveyor that each Lot of such division be marked 
in the general Map of the whole with one of the 
Letters A to I That nine tickets each having one 
of the said Letters wrote thereon shall be put into 
a Box and thence drawn out singly by a person 
named by my Executors That the first ticket so 
drawn shall fix and designate the share given to 
the four Children of my Son Charles deceased 
namely Thomas, Richard, Eliza, and George their 
respective heirs and assigns as tenants in Common — 
and the next and remaining tickets to be drawn out 
singly for my four Sons and four daughters accord- 
ing to their seniority shall fix and designate to each 
of them the ninth part or share of the said Lands 
hereinbefore given to them severally their respective 
heirs and assigns such division and distribution of 
the above lands having been thus made my Exec- 
utors or Trustees or a majority of them shall or 
may give grant and assign after the expiration of 
ten years from my decease separate Deeds to my 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 77 

said several devisees or their representatives as 
the case may require in fee simple for the part 
or share so belonging to each of them. Any Deeds 
of Release which may be necessary to pass between 
William Bingham's heirs trustees or executors and 
mine to assure to each their title severally to the 
part or share belonging to each of the above Western 
Lands and Estate or to any other Lands held in 
Joint Concern by the said William Bingham and 
myself my Executors or a majority of them are 
hereby authorised and directed to receive from 
them on behalf of my Estate or my devisees and also 
to execute and deliver to them on my part such re- 
lease in ample form as I myself might or could do 
were I then living and personally present. 

"I give and bequeath to my Son Thomas Mayne 
Willing his heirs and assigns my dwelling house and 
lot of ground or homestead Estate on Third Street 
and Willings Alley in the Said City and the Lot Of 
ground on the south side thereof about Thirty two 
feet front on Third Street and in depth westerly 
the same width to the East Side or line of my Brick 
Stable or Court Yard, adjoining thereto and which 
stable its Lot and Stable I do also give and devise 
to my said Son Thomas Mayne Willing his heirs 
and assigns — I do also give and devise to my Said 



178 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Son Thomas Mayne Willing his heirs and assigns 
All those my lots of ground, Houses, Stores, Wharves 
and Estate on the East side of Penn Street in said 
City of Philadelphia bounded on the North by John 
Nixon's Estate west by Penn street south by a Ten 
feet Alley widened by me to twelve feet next to 
Thomas Cuthberts Estate and East by the River 
Delaware at the Eastern extent of my Patents, all 
of which Estate on Penn Street and all my said* 
Homestead Estate except the lot on the South side 
of my said dwelling house on Third Street shall be 
liable for and subject to the payment of the six 
following Annuities given to the following Annui- 
tants respectively to be made and fully paid by 
my said Son Thomas Mayne Willing his heirs and 
assigns to say, I do give and bequeath to my son 
William S. Willing during his life an annuity or 
yearly sum of Two hundred and thirty Dollars I 
give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Clymer 
during her life for her separate use and on her own 
receipt notwithstanding her coverture an annuity 
or yearly sum of Two hundred and thirty Dollars I 
give and bequeath to my daughter Dorothy Francis 
during her life an annuity or yearly sum of Two 
hundred and thirty Dollars I do give and bequeath 
to my Daughter Abigail Peters during her life for 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 79 

her separate use and on her own receipts notwith- 
standing her coverture an annuity or yearly sum of 
Two hundred and thirty dollars I give and bequeath 
to my Housekeeper Catherine Gushing during her 
life an annuity or yearly sum of Two hundred and 
thirty Dollars and I do give and bequeath to my 
daughter Elizabeth Jackson Wife of William Jack- 
son during her life an Annuity or Yearly Sum of 
Two hundred and thirty Dollars— And I do hereby 
direct the payment of the said last mentioned an- 
nuity to be made to my sons George Willing and 
William S. Willing and to the survivor of them and 
the heirs of such survivor To have take and receive 
the same Sum In Trust for the use of my said 
daughter Elizabeth Jackson during her natural 
life, the same to be received and enjoyed by her 
separate and apart from her husband and to be 
free and discharged from all claims of any kind and 
nature whatsoever and I do hereby direct and de- 
clare that the separate receipts of my said daughter 
under her hand shall alone acquit and discharge 
the said Trustees for the due and faithful discharge 
of the trust herein created and that yearly and every 
year as the Said last mentioned annuity shall be 
paid to same Trustees during the natural life of my 
said daughter Elizabeth they shall pay the same over 



l80 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

to her and to no other person it being my Will 
and intention that same annuity shall not be liable 
or charged with any debts which may be due by 
her said husband or by any other person or liable 
or subject to any claims whatsoever thus having 
given the above several annuities amounting in 
the whole to Thirteen hundred and eighty Dollars 
payable by my son Thomas his heirs and assigns 
out of the two Estates above given to him and them 
I do declare it to be my Will that each and every 
the Said six annuities shall be paid by two even and 
equal half yearly payments and shall be held and 
considered to be a lien and charge on the said two 
Estates and on each of them except the lot on the 
South Side of my dwelling house which I do exempt 
therefrom. I do Also give and devise to my said 
son Thomas Mayne Willing his heirs and assigns 
my Coach House and its Lot of ground on the 
North side of Willings Alley near to my dwelling 
house about eighteen feet front on said Alley and 
forty feet deep North from the said Alley it being 
the western part of a larger lot bought of my Uncle 
Joseph Shippen And I do also give to my said son 
Thomas Mayne Willing his heirs and assigns my 
lot of grovmd on the Wind Mill Island opposite my 
Estate on Penn Street which I bought of William 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. l8l 

Brown and also hold by a lease from the late Pro- 
prietaries of Pennsylvania. — 

" I give to my son Thomas my Silver Tureene with 
all its appurtenances made in London and given to 
me by the Stockholders in the United States Bank 
as a testimony of their approbation of my conduct 
as President of that institution I do also give him 
my three old family bibles and the old Clock which 
was brought to this Country in the year One thou- 
sand Six hundred and eighty eight by my Ancestor 
Edward Shippen and further I give to my said Son 
Thomas the sum of One hundred pounds from which 
I devise him to pay six Pounds every year to Eliza- 
beth Shippen during her life This is in lieu of the 
like sum formerly subscribed by me for her support. 

"I give to my Executors herein after named the 
simi of sixteen hundred Pounds in Trust neverthe- 
less to place the same at Interest on Mortgage or 
invest the same in six per Cent Stock of the United 
States and to receive the Interest thereof and pay 
over the same half yearly to my said daughter 
Elizabeth Jackson for her separate use during her 
life and for which her own receipts only notwith- 
standing her coverture shall be sufficient in the Law 
and so that the same and every part thereof shall 
not be in the power or subject to the debts controul 



1 82 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

or engagements of her husband or of any other per- 
son or Hable or subject to any claims whatsoever 
in the same way and manner as is herein before 
mentioned expressed and declared of and con- 
cerning the aforesaid Annuity of Two hundred 
and thirty dollars and that after her decease whether 
the same shall happen before or after my death 
then my said Executors shall pay the said sixteen 
hundred pounds or assign the stocks and mort- 
gages in which the same may be invested in equal 
shares to my four Grand daughters Ann, Elizabeth, 
Mary and Caroline Jackson (Children of my said 
daughter Elizabeth) the share of such of them as 
may be Minors to be kept out at Interest or invested 
in Stock for the use of such minor or minors till she 
or they shall attain the full age of Twenty one Years 
or marry which shall first happen and if either or 
any of my said four Grand daughters shall die in 
minority and unmarried then and in such case the 
part and share of her or them so dying shall go and 
I do give the same to the survivors or survivor of 
my said four Grand Children the principal thereof 
to be paid and assigned to them when and as they 
severally attain their full age or marry which shall 
first happen But if all and every the said four Chil- 
dren shall die in their minority and unmarried then 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 83 

and in such case the said sixteen hundred pounds 
shall become a part of my residuary Estate. 

"I give and devise to my Sons Thomas Mayne 
Willing, Richard Willing and WilHam S. Willing 
and to the survivors and survivor of them and the 
heirs and assigns of such survivor All that my tract 
of land and estate in Centre County in Pennsyl- 
vania containing about six hundred and fifteen 
acres of Land which I bought of Nicholas Hon- 
singer on Bald Eagle Creek in the County aforesaid 
In Trust however for the use and purpose following 
and for none other to wit that they the Said trustees 
or the survivors or survivor of them or the heirs 
of such survivor (or a majority of them for the time 
being shall and may sell and dispose of the Said 
Estate and tract of Land either in whole or in parts 
at such time and place and for such price as they 
may think proper and the money which they shall 
receive for any sale by them to be made all rea- 
sonable charges being first deducted from the amount 
of such sale and also after having deducted there- 
from and fully paid off every note or notes now drawn 
and to be drawn and payable by William Jackson the 
husband of my daughter Elizabeth to me and all 
other monies by me advanced to and for him and 
charged to his account in my small Ledger folio 



1 84 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

seventy six with Interest thereon from the dates of 
same notes and entries in my Said Ledger respec- 
tively up to the time of payment not however both 
principal and interest then to exceed Eighteen 
hundred dollars and every note or notes and sums 
of money then due from the said William Jackson 
to my sons Thomas M. Willing and George Willing 
and for any money which they or either of them here 
have paid or for which they or either of them may 
be liable to pay for any Note or endorsement they 
or either of them may have lent — the said William 
Jackson with Interest thereon not exceeding Six 
thousand Dollars including interest to my Son 
Thomas Mayne Willing and not exceeding Six- 
teen hundred Dollars including interest to my son 
George Willing all of which charges and debts 
above mentioned not exceeding as aforesaid being 
discharged out of the monies received on the sale 
of the said Estate it is my Will that the balance 
shall be put to interest at the discretion of my 
said Trustees for the separate use of my Daughter 
Elizabeth Jackson during her life and to whom 
the said interest shall be paid and for which only 
her own receipts notwithstanding her coverture 
shall be sufficient and so that the same and every 
part thereof shall not be in the power or subject 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 85 

to the debts controul or engagements of her hus- 
band or any other person or liable or subject to 
any claims whatsoever in the same way and man- 
ner as is hereinbefore mentioned expressed and 
declared of and concerning her aforesaid annuity 
of Two hundred and thirty dollars And that after 
her decease all the said Monies so directed to be 
put at Interest as last aforesaid shall be equally 
paid to and divided equally between Ann Eliza- 
beth Mary and Caroline Jackson the Children of 
my said daughter or such of them as may survive 
their Mother and live to attain the age of twenty 
one years the shares of either of the Said Children 
being under age shall be put to interest as afore- 
said by the said trustees for the use of the same 
minor or minors till of full age as above mentioned 
But if all and every of my said Grand daughters 
the Children of my said daughter Elizabeth shall 
die in their minority and without issue then and 
in such case the said last mentioned principal 
Monies Shall become a part of my residuary Es- 
tate. 

"I give and bequeath to my Sons Thomas George 
and William and to the survivors and survivor 
of them his Executors and Administrators the 
sum of One thousand six hundred Pounds In 



1 86 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Trust however for the following Use and purpose 
that they shall place the same at Interest at their 
own discretion and as they receive the interest 
they Shall annually pay the same to my daughter 
the said Mary Clymer or to such person or per- 
sons as she by writing under her own hand shall 
from time to time authorise to receive the Same 
as aforesaid notwithstanding her coverture shall 
be sufficient And that after her decease whether 
the Same shall happen before or after my death 
they the said Trustees as above named shall divide 
and pay the Said One thousand six hundred 
Pounds in equal shares to such of the Children 
of my said daughter Mary Clymer as may survive 
her and who may attain the age of Twenty One 
Years The shares of either of her children then 
in their minority Shall be kept at Interest by the 
Said Trustees for the benefit of such minor until 
he or she comes to the above age. 

"I give and bequeath to my Sons Thomas 
Richard and William and to the Survivors and 
Survivor of them his executors and administrators 
the sum of One thousand six hundred Pounds 
In trust however for the following uses and 
purposes that they Shall place the same at In- 
terest at their own discretion and as they re- 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 87 

ceive the Said Interest they shall annually pay 
the same to my daughter Dorothy Francis for 
her own use during her life and that after her 
decease whether the same shall happen before or 
after my death they the said Trustees as above 
named shall divide and pay the said one thou- 
sand six hundred Pounds in equal Shares to her 
four youngest sons namely John Thomas Charles 
and Alfred or the survivors of them. 

" I give and bequeath to my Sons Thomas George 
and William and to the survivors and survivor 
of them and the Executors or administrators 
and assigns of such survivor the sum of Four 
thousand five hundred Dollars In Trust that 
they or a majority of them for the time being 
shall put the same at interest on Mortgage or 
invest the Same in public Stocks of the United 
States at their discretion and shall and do re- 
ceive the Interest and dividends thereof and pay 
over the same from time to time when and as 
received to my daughter Abigail Peters for her 
own separate use and for which her own receipts 
under her own hand Notwithstanding her cover- 
ture shall be deemed sufficient and so that the 
same shall not be subject to the debts controul 
or engagements of her husband and in trust 



1 88 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

after her decease to pay over and transfer all the 
said principal sum of four thousand five hundred 
dollars and the stocks and mortgages in which 
the same may be invested and the interest and 
dividends thereafter to accrue to and among all 
her Children her surviving their respective Ex- 
ecutors Administrators and assigns share and 
share alike those who may be then minors to 
receive their Portion thereof when and as they 
severally attain the age of twenty one years or 

marry which shall first happen. 

"I give to my sons Thomas Mayne Willing and 
William S. Willing or to the Survivor of them 
seventy shares of the stock held by me in the 
Farmers and Mechanics Bank In Trust for the 
following purpose that the said Trustees or the 
survivor of them shall within one month after 
my death assign over and transfer the said seventy 
shares of stock to my son George Willing his 
executors administrators and assigns with all 
dividends due and thence-forward to become due 
on the said Stock and further it is my Will that 
in case my said son George shall not survive me 
or live until the transfer of said stock shall as 
above directed have been rhade to him that they 
the said Trustees or the survivor of them shall 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 189 

forthwith transfer the said stock to Rebecca Wil- 
ling the Wife of my said son George her Execu- 
tors administrators and assigns. 

"I give and bequeath to my Son George Willing 
the Sum of three thousand three hundred pounds 
subject however to the payment of every Bond or note 
made payable to me by him the said George Willing 
whether assigned by me or in my possession. 

"I give and bequeath to my Son Richard Wil- 
ling the sum of three thousand three hundred 
Pounds subject however to the payment of 
every Bond or Note made payable to me by 
him the said Richard Willing whether assigned 
by me or in my possession. 

"I give and devise to my son Richard Willing 
his Heirs and Assigns my house lot and estate 
at the Corner of York and Delaware Third 
Streets in the Said City of Philadelphia subject 
to a ground rent thereon annually due and to 
be paid to the Estate of the late Samuel Powell 
Esquire deceased and also reserving as a further 
condition of this devise the following annuity or 
sum of money to be paid out of the Said Estate 
namely an annuity of Two hundred and forty 
Dollars to be paid to my son George WilHng 
during his life in equal half yearly payments the 



1 90 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

first half yearly payment thereof to be made at 
the expiration of six Months next after my de- 
cease and further that my said son Richard his 
heirs or assigns shall pay to my Grand daughter 
EHza Spring the daughter of my Son Charles 
the sum of four hundred dollars and also that 
he my said son his heirs or assigns shall pay to 
my son WilHam S. Willing in six Months next 
after my decease should he my said son then 
be living the sum of One thousand Pounds for 
his own use and disposal But in case the said 
William shall be then deceased the said sum of 
One thousand Pounds shall be equally divided 
between my three daughters Mary Clymer Doro- 
thy Francis and Abigail Peters their respective 
Executors Administrators and assigns share and 
share alike and it is my Will that the said 
annuity above given to George Willing and the 
two Legacies directed to be paid to Eliza Spring 
and to William S. Willing if living or in the 
event of his death to my three daughters as 
aforesaid shall be a lien and Charge on the Es- 
tate at the Corner of York and Third Streets as 
above mentioned. 

" I give devise and bequeath to my said son Richard 
Willing his heirs executors administrators and as- 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. IQI 

signs all the Estate real and personal to which 
I have claim right or title as being the heir at law 
to the late James or Richard Bayne deceased late 
of Hampton in Arden in the County of Warwick 
or elsewhere in England. 

"I give and devise to my Son William S. Willing 
his heirs and assigns all my Estate on the West 
Side of Front Street in the said City of Philadel- 
phia between Walnut and Chestnut Streets in- 
cluding the Old City Vendue Store and its Lot the 
frame stores the Brick houses and stables to the 
westward thereof on said lot also the new Brick 
House with its lot on the south side of the Vendue 
store adjoining Samuel Coates Estate the said Lot 
extends west to Zacharys Court having thereby 
free passage into Walnut street together with 
every privilege and use of said Court or passage 
both of which Estates or Lots with all the im- 
provements thereon and appurtenances to each 
belonging I give and devise to my said son Wil- 
liam S. Willing his heirs and assigns and I do also 
give and devise to my Said Son William S. Willing 
his heirs and assigns all that my Pasture Lot con- 
taining six Acres and an half more or less on Hud- 
sons Lane in Moyamensing Township and County 
of Philadelphia which I bought of the late Samuel 



192 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Hudson and further I do give to my said Son Wil- 
liam S. Willing the sum of Three thousand five 
hundred Pounds Subject however to the payment 
of every Bond or note due or payable to me by the 
Said William S. Willing whether assigned by me 
or still in my possession. — 

"I give to my sons Thomas and George Willing 
and to the survivor of them and to the Executors 
or Administrators of such Survivor the sum of 
Two thousand five hundred pounds In Trust how- 
ever for the following use and purpose that they 
the Said trustees shall put the Same to interest 
at their own discretion and as the said Interest is 
received by them the said trustees they shall pay 
the same to my said son William S. Willing an- 
nually during his life In Trust however that the 
said Interest so received by him shall be applied 
by him at his own discretion for the support of 
his family and the education of his Children now 
born and hereafter to be born and after the death 
of my said son William they the said trustees shall 
pay and divide in equal shares the said Two thou- 
sand five hundred pounds to and between all the 
Children of my said Son William who shall Sur- 
vive their Father and attain the Age of Twenty 
one years The share of either of the said Children 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 93 

who may not be of the age aforesaid shall be re- 
tained by the said Trustees until such minor has 
arrived at full age But if either or any of the Chil- 
dren of my said son William shall depart this life 
leaving issue living at the decease of my said son 
such issue shall have and take such part and share 
of the Legacy last aforesaid as his her or their de- 
ceased Parent or Parents would have been en- 
titled to had such parent or parents then been 
living. 

"I give and bequeath to my grandson Thomas 
Willing Junior the eldest son of my son Charles 
Willing deceased all the stock held by me and now 
standing in my name on the Books of the Bank of 
the United States being twenty shares together 
with all dividends due at the time of my death or 
thereafter to become due and I do also give and 
bequeath to him the Said Thomas Willing Junior 
sixty five shares of stock now held by me and 
standing in my name on the Books of the Farmers 
and Mechanics Bank together with all the divi- 
dends due at the time of my death and there- 
after to become due the Said sixty five Shares of 
the last mentioned stock being all that will re- 
main more than the seventy shares of the Farmers 
and Mechanics Bank herein given to my Son 



194 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

George and all those my Forty shares of Masonic 
Loan Stock now standing in my name by transfer 
on the Books of the said Masonic Lodge Society 
or Corporation the same being part of the first 
Loan made by the said Society all of which stock 
and Loan so given to my said Grandson according 
to the rules or Ordinances of the said Banks or 
Lodge respectively I do also give to my said grand- 
son Thomas Willing Junior the Sum of Twelve 
hundred Pounds in Cash I do also give and be- 
queath to the said Thomas Willing Junior Two 
thousand dollars part of the six per cent debt of 
the United States now held by me which my son 
Thomas M. Willing or my son William S. Willing 
is directed as Executor of my Will to transfer to 
the said Thomas Willing Junior within fifteen 
days after my Executors Shall have received the 
quarters Interest that may be payable next after 
my decease Provided however and it is my Will 
that before payment and transfer of the Cash 
Legacy of Twelve hundred Pounds and stocks and 
Loan of the aforesaid shall be made by my Ex- 
ecutors to my said Grandson Thomas Willing 
Junior all and every Note and Bond given and to 
be given to me by him shall be fully paid off and 
discharged or secured to the satisfaction of my 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 95 

Executors by him of the said Thomas WilHng 
Junior And that the same Legacy stocks and Loan 
shall be considered in the nature of a Pledge in 
the hands of my Executors for the security of such 
Notes and bonds with Interest and may be sold 
by them and the produce applied to the payment 
of such notes and Bonds. 

"I do give to my Grandson Richard Willing an- 
other son of my son Charles the Sum of Twelve 
hundred Pounds. 

"I do give to my Grandson George Willing Junior 
the youngest son of my said son Charles the sum of 
Twelve hundred Pounds. 

"The Annuity reserved out of the Estate called 
"Coventry Farm" of Fifty Pounds per annum 
payable by the purchaser thereof for and during 
the life of Ann Morris I give to Ann Willing the 
widow of my son Charles during the life of the 
Said Ann Morris and if the Said Ann Willing 
Shall die before the said Ann Morris I do in Such 
case give the Said Annuity of fifty pounds per 
annum during the then residue of the life of the 
Said Ann Morris to my Grandson George the only 
son of the Said Ann Willing and his heirs and I do 
further give to her the Said Ann Willing the Sum of 
Two hundred Pounds. 



196 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"All my Estate right and title to the house and 
lot of ground on the south side of Almond Street 
in South wark which I hold as residuary devisee of 
my late sister Abigail Willing deceased I give and 
devise to my Niece Ann Morris during her life 
for which term she shall continue as heretofore to 
receive the rents of said Estate and after the death 
of the said Ann Morris my Niece I do give and de- 
vise the Said House and Estate in Almond Street 
aforesaid to Thomas Morris the only Son of my 
said Niece Ann Morris and to her three youngest 
daughters namely Elizabeth Margaret and Susan 
their respective heirs and assigns in equal shares 
as tenants in Common and in the event of the de- 
cease of either or any of the said three Youngest 
daughters of my said niece in minority and without 
Issue then the part or parts of such decedent or 
decedents in same Messuage and Lot shall go to 
the Said Thomas Morris and the Survivors or Sur- 
vivor of the same three youngest daughters of my 
said Niece their respective heirs and assigns as 
tenants in Common and further I give to my said 
Niece Ann Morris the sum of six hundred Pounds 
in lieu of my yearly gift of fifty Pounds promised 
by me to be paid as long as both of us may live and 
long and regularly paid to her and also in full dis- 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 97 

charge of all or any Claim to be made on my Estate 
for the stmi of Three hundred and twenty five 
Pounds Assigned to me In trust for her use by her 
Aunt Elizabeth Powell for which Sum I have annu- 
ally paid the Interest to my Said Niece not having 
applied the said Gift to the credit of her husband 
Luke Morris although he was indebted to me a 
much larger amount for seven years Rent of my 
Farm Wherefore I direct that when the above 
Legacy is paid to the said Ann Morris a full dis- 
charge and acquital shall be required and received 
from her for all and every Claim and Demand to 
be hereafter made against my Estate by her or her 
heirs executors administrators or assigns. 

"I give to my Sister Elizabeth Powell the sum of 
One hundred Pounds which I hope she will Accept 
and receive as a token of my affectionate remem- 
brance in any other view it would be unnecessary 
to one whose commendable liberality has been so 
generously and so often extended to supply the 
wants and provide for the comfort of many very 
many others. 

"I do give to my Housekeeper Catherine Cushing 
five hundred dollars in return for her great and 
useful services kindly afforded to me during my 
late long Confinement. 



198 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"My House furniture my Stock and Family Wine 
and my Silver family plate I have given and directed 
the delivery of by my Executors in and by my letter 
to them dated March the ninth 1816 and herewith 
put up and to my directions so given I enjoin a 
strict compliance on the part of my Executors. 

"It is my Will that all Bonds or Notes of hand 
which I now have or may hereafter receive from 
either of the Legatees above named or from the 
Husband of such Legatee or from either of my sons 
who may be herein after Named and Appointed as 
my Executors whether Such Bond or note has been 
assigned by me for the use of any other person or 
persons or not shall be fully paid and discharged by 
a deduction to be made from my Legacy or Legacies 
I have herein given to the obligors severally or to 
the wife of such obligor and Legatee unless the 
same is otherwise paid off and discharged. 

"As to either of my sons herein Appointed an 
Executor to this my Will and who now is or may be 
so as above indebted to me on Bond or note he is 
not considered by me nor shall he be exonerated 
and released from the full payment and discharged 
of such his obligation or note for or by reason of his 
being named or appointed an Executor to this my 
Will any Laws or Construction of Laws or rule of 
Court to the Contrary Notwithstanding. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 1 99 

" I give to each of my Executors herein after named 
the Sum of Three hundred and seventy five Pounds 
as a compensation for the full execution of the trust 
and duty of an Executor to this my Will and the 
discharge of the Trusts committed to them thereby. 

"After all my Debts and Legacies given in and by 
my Will or by any Codicil I may affix thereto are 
fully paid and discharged I do give devise and be- 
queath all the rest residue and remainder of my 
Estate real and personal of what nature or kind 
soever and wheresoever the same may be to my 
four sons Thomas Mayne Willing George Willing 
Richard Willing and William S. Willing or to such 
of them my said four sons as may survive me their 
respective heirs executors and administrators for- 
ever share and share alike as Tenants in Common. 

"Further least any unexpected demand shall be 
made on my Estate or unforseen loss shall happen 
thereto by which my residuary Estate Shall be 
wholly absorbed and rendered unable to discharge 
my debts and pay Cash Legacies as above directed 
I do hereby direct and it is my Will that a Sale 
Shall be made by my Executors of the whole or 
such part thereof as may be necessary of My Lands 
or estate in the Eighteen Districts Westward of the 
Susquehannah River given to my nine Children or 
their representatives in the former part of my 



200 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

will and that the produce of such sale or so much 
thereof as may be requisite and sufficient to dis- 
charge the said debts and legacies shall be applied 
to supply the deficiency after my said residuary 
Estate has been wholly applied for such purpose 
It being my desire to preserve from diminution all 
my Estate in the City and County of Philadelphia 
and in the County of Centre. 

"And Lastly I do nominate and appoint my four 
sons Thomas Mayne Willing, George Willing Rich- 
ard WilHng and William S. Willing to be the Execu- 
tors of this my last Will and Testament fully and 
with entire confidence trusting to their attention 
and faithful discharge of the trust I have committed 
to and repose in them and each of them my beloved 
Sons. — 

"Having thus fully and I hope clearly expressed 
my Will and intentions by this Instrument on the 
four preceding and on this page all ntimbered from 
one to five inclusive and each page by me sub- 
scribed I do hereby declare the Same to be my 
last Will and Testament revoking and hereby de- 
claring all other Wills and Testaments by me 
heretofore made to be null and void In Witness 
Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal 
this second day of December in the Year of our 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



201 



Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty 
1820. 

Thos. Willing. 



"Signed Sealed Published and de- 
clared by the Above Named Thomas 
Willing the Testator to be his last Will 
and Testament in the Presence of us 
at whose request in whose Presence 
and in the Presence of each other We 
Subscribe our names as Witnesses 
thereto Note namely Elizabeth Mar- 
garet and Susan in the Eighth line from 
the top of the fifth page being first in- 
terlined and the erazure in the thir- 
teenth line from the bottom in the 
fourth page respecting Two Thousand 
Dollars United States Loan being first 
Made — 

T. Mitchell 

Horatio Rawle 

A. D. Cash 



" Philadelphia January 29th 1821, Then Personally 
appeared Thomas Mitchell, Horatio Rawle and 
Andrew D. Cash the Witnesses to the aforegoing 



202 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

Will and on their solemn affirmation according to 

law did declare and say that they did see and hear 

Thomas Willing the Testator in the said Will 

named sign seal publish & declare the Same as and 

for his last Will and Testament and that at the 

doing thereof he was of sound mind and memory 

& understanding to the best of their knowledge 

& belief.— 

Coram 

Edmund Rogers 

Deputy Register. 
"WHEREAS by an oversight I gave in my Afore- 
going Will to my Grandson Thomas Willing 
Junior a Legacy of Twenty shares of the United 
States Bank stock heretofore held by me But 
which twenty shares of same Stock I had sold 
some time since which sale is an ademption of 
said Legacy and makes the Same null and void I 
do therefore give to the said Thomas Willing Junior 
the further sum of Two thousand Dollars in Cash 
in lieu and as an equivalent for the Said Twenty 
shares of United States Bank stock subject how- 
ever to the payment of all Bonds and Notes of 
the Said Thomas Willing Junior given to and held 
by me at the time of my decease and I do direct 
that these Presents be taken as a Codicil to and a 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



203 



part of my aforegoing Will In Witness Whereof 
I have hereunto set my hand and seal this second 
day of December in the year of our Lord One 
thousand eight hundred and twenty 1820. — 

Thos. Willing. 

"Signed Sealed Published and De- 
clared by the above named Thomas 
Willing the Testator to be a Codicil to 
his last Will and Testament in the 
Presence of us at whose request in 
whose presence and in the presence of 
each other we subscribe our names as 
witnesses thereto — 

T. Mitchell 

A. D. Cash. 

"Philadelphia January 29th 1821. Then Person- 
ally appeared Thomas Mitchell and Andrew D. 
Cash the witnesses to the above Codicil and on 
their Solemn Affirmation according to Law did de- 
clare and say that they did see & hear Thomas 
Willing the Testator in the said Codicil named 
sign seal publish and declare the Same as and for 
a Codicil to his last Will and Testament and that 
at the doing thereof he was of sound mind memory 



204 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

and understanding to the best of their knowledge 
& beUef.— 

Coram 

Edmund Rogers 
Deputy Register. 

"I, THOMAS WILLING of the City of Philadel- 
phia do make and execute this instrument of writing 
to be the Codicil to my last Will and Testament to 
which I have caused the same to be annexed. 

" FIRST I do hereby revoke and make void all that 
part of my Said last Will and Testament in which I 
have given and devised to my son William Shippen 
Willing and to his Heirs All those my two Estates 
Situate in Front Street between Walnut and Chest- 
nut Streets in the Said City of Philadelphia to- 
gether with all the Rights and Privileges thereunto 
belonging and all the buildings and improvements 
thereon one of the Said Estates being late in the 
tenure of William Leedom on which there is also a 
dwelling house and stable occupied by Patrick 
Carson And the other of the said Estates being now 
occupied by the said William S. Willing as a dwell- 
ing house and I do also revoke all that part of my 
said last Will and Testament in which I have given 
and devised unto my said son William and his heirs 
all that Pasture Lot of ground situate on Hudsons 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 205 

Lane in the Township of Moyamensing in the County 
of Philadelphia containing Six Acres and a half more 
less. And I do hereby give devise and bequeath 
all and each of the Above described premises unto 
my sons Thomas Mayne Willing George Willing 
and to my Son in Law Richards Peters Junior and 
to the survivors and survivor of them and to the 
heirs of such survivor To Have and to Hold the 
same In trust for the following uses and purposes 
Viz: that they the said Trustees and the survivors 
and survivor of them and the heirs of such sur- 
vivor shall have take and receive the Rents, 
Issues and Profits of all and each of the said prem- 
ises as they Shall arise and become due for and dur- 
ing the life of my said son William for the support 
of his family and the maintenance and education 
of his children now or hereafter to be born and as 
the same shall be so had taken and received by them 
the said Trustees after deducting all reasonable 
charges and expenses incurred in the execution of 
this trust to pay over the Same to my said Son Wil- 
liam for the support of his family and the mainten- 
ance support and education of his children and the 
receipts for the same given by my said son William 
shall be the only Acquittances for the performance 
of said trust and further In trust that if my said son 



206 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

William shall survive his Wife Maria and shall live 
till any one of his Children now born and which may 
be bom hereafter shall attain the age of Twenty one 
years then the Said Trustees Shall hold the Said 
premises to and for such uses and purposes and 
subject to such devise or devises as my said son 
William may declare name and appoint in an}^ last 
Will and Testament he may duly make and execute 
and also In trust that if my said son William shall 
die leaving no Widow or Child and Intestate that 
then the said trustees shall hold the Said premises 
to and for the use of such of my other Children as 
may be living at the time of my decease and of the 
Heirs of such Children to have and enjoy the same 
as Tenants in Common and not as joint tenants And 
also on the further trust that if my said son William 
should die before either of his children now or here- 
after to be bom shall arrive at the age of Twenty 
one Years and before his Said Wife Maria then it is 
my Will and intention that they the Said Trustees 
or a majority of them then living Shall sell and dis- 
pose of and by Deed or Deeds grant and Convey the 
Said premises in fee simple to any person or persons 
either at Public or private sale and the monies which 
shall arise from such sale shall be by them disposed 
of in manner following Viz: Two hundred Pounds 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 20/ 

part thereof shall be forthwith paid over to Maria 
the Wife of my said son for her own use and benefit 
and the remaining part of the monies produced by 
such sale to be equally divided among the Children 
of my said son William when they severally shall 
arrive at the age of Twenty one years And untill 
they shall so attain the age of Twenty one years 
their respective parts of said monies Shall be placed 
at interest and the interest thereof when the Same 
Shall be received by the said trustees shall be paid 
over to the said Maria during her widowhood only 
for the maintenance and Education of the said 
Children of my said son William And if either of the 
said Children shall die before he or she shall attain 
the age of Twenty one years leaving no Issue then 
the part or portion of him or her so dying shall go 
to and be equally divided among the surviving 
Children of my said son and as soon as each or 
either of the said Children of my said son shall attain 
the age of Twenty one years the part or portion of 
the said monies to such Child belonging shall be 
paid to such Child by the Said Trustees And the 
right of the Said Maria to receive the Interest on 
the same shall cease and determine as shall also 
cease her right to receive the interest or any part 
of the Said remaining monies should she marry 



208 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

again and also In trust that if my Said son Wil- 
liam and Maria his Wife Shall die before either 
of their Children now born or hereafter to be 
bom shall attain the age of Twenty one years or 
if he the said William shall die leaving no widow and 
after any one of his Children shall attain the age of 
twenty one years he having made no last Will 
and Testament then and in either such cases the 
said Trustees or a majority of them for the time 
being and the survivor of them his heirs or assigns 
shall and may sell and dispose of the said Prem- 
ises in fee simple at any time they shall deem 
most advantageous and the proceeds of such sales 
shall be equally divided among the said Children 
and shall be paid over to them as they severally 
attain the age of Twenty one years and also In trust 
that if my said son William Should die without 
leaving issue leaving his Wife Maria that then they 
the said Trustees or a majority of them for the time 
being shall sell and dispose of the Said premises and 
the proceeds thereof shall go to and be enjoyed Two 
hundred Pounds part thereof by the said Maria and 
the residue of said Proceeds shall be equally divided 
Among such of my other Children as shall be alive at 
the time of my death and if any one of such my Chil- 
dren as shall be alive at the time of my death shall 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 209 

die before the arrival of said Contingency then the 
part or portion of such Child shall go to and be en- 
joyed by his or her Heirs and in order the better to 
enable the said Trustees or a majority of them for 
the time being to execute the several trusts here- 
inbefore set forth and described and to dispose of 
any part or parts of the Said trust Estate should 
they deem it advantageous so to do in fee simple or 
Ground Rent or otherwise I do hereby give and grant 
to them or a majority of them for the time being and 
the survivor of them and the Heirs of such Survivor 
full power and Authority to make execute and de- 
liver such Lease and Leases as may be requisite and 
also such deed or deeds as may be necessary to vest 
any part or parts thereof in the purchaser or pur- 
chasers of the same his her or their heirs and as- 
signs in fee simple or for any lesser Estate for the 
best price or prices or the greatest annual rent 
charges that can or may be reasonably had or gotten 
for any part or parts of same trust Estate and the 
monies produced by any sale or sales to reinvest in 
the purchase of other Estate and Property and to re- 
serve the ground rents charged on any part of same 
Estates In trust for the like uses intents and purposes 
that are herein before mentioned and expressed of 
and concerning the trust Estates aforesaid. 



210 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"And I do hereby direct my Executors in my 
said last Will and Testament named to pay out of 
the residuary part of my Estate unto my Sons 
Thomas Mayne Willing George Willing and my Son 
in Law Richard Peters Junior the Sum of Eighteen 
hundred Pounds in Trust for the follbwing uses and 
purposes to wit to put the same out at Interest 
or invest the same in Six per Cent Stocks as they 
may think most advantageous and the Interest 
or dividends on the same as they may be received 
to pay over to my son William during his life for 
the support of his family and the maintenance 
education and support of his Children and after 
his decease I give the said Sum of Eighteen hun- 
dred Pounds to such of the said Trustees as may 
then be living for their own Use share and share 
alike and if neither of the said Trustees shall sur- 
vive my said son William then the said last men- 
tioned sum of money shall go to all and every the 
Children of my said son bom and to be born share 
and share alike. 

"WHEREAS in the first page of my aforegoing 
Will I devised to my Executors their heirs and 
assigns my part share and Interest of and in about 
One hundred and twenty two thousand Acres of 
land purchased by William Bingham and myself 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 211 

in the Eighteen Districts West of the River Susque- 
hannah in Pennsylvania In trust for the purposes 
therein mentioned by which devise my daughter 
Elizabeth Jackson would become entitled to one 
ninth part of the monies that may be produced 
by a sale thereof or any part thereof made by my 
Executors within ten years next after my decease 
as therein mentioned Now I do revoke so much 
of the said Trust only as relates to my said Daugh- 
ters part share and proportion of the monies that 
may be produced by a sale of same lands within 
ten years after my decease as aforesaid and in 
lieu thereof I do give to my Executors and the sur- 
vivors and survivor of them and the executors 
administrators and assigns of such Survivor all 
the monies which my said Daughter would have 
been entitled to under the said trust had this Codi- 
cil not been made In trust and Confidence never- 
theless to place the said monies out at Interest 
or invest the Same in Six per Cent Stock of the 
United States and to receive the Interest thereof 
and pay over the same half Yearly to my Daughter 
Elizabeth Jackson for her separate use during her 
life And for which her own receipts only notwith- 
standing her Coverture shall be sufficient in the 
law And so that the same and every part thereof 



212 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

shall not be in the power or subject to the debts 
Controul or engagements of her husband or of 
any other person whatever and at the decease of 
my said daughter all the said Monies which she 
would have been entitled to under the first men- 
tioned trust had this Codicil not been made and 
the Stocks and Mortgages in which the same may 
be invested shall go and I do give the same in the 
same way and manner as in the second page of 
my Will is mentioned and expressed of and Con- 
cerning the Legacy of Sixteen hundred Pounds 
thereby given to my Executors In trust. 

"AND WHEREAS in my last Will and Testa- 
ment as well as in this Codicil I have assigned to 
my Executors and to other persons named therein 
various duties as trustees and otherwise of the 
due and faithful performance of which I have no 
doubt but believe that the said trusts and duties 
will be performed with the best discretion of them 
the said Executors and others and ought not to 
expose them or either of them to any personal 
responsibilities It is therefore declared by me and 
I direct the Same may be received and taken as 
part of my last Will and Testament and of this 
Codicil that the performance of said trusts and 
duties of the Said Executors and trustees according 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 



213 



to their best discretion and judgment shall be a 
full and Complete acquital of them and each of 
them from all Liabilities responsibilities claims 
and demands whatever And I do hereby enjoin 
and desire all those for whom my said Executors 
or the said Trustees may Act in the Premises to 
receive and consider the performance of the said 
trusts and duties in manner aforesaid as a full 
and entire performance of my Said last Will and 
Testament and of this Codicil and a full com- 
pliance with all my intentions In Witness I have 
hereunto set my hand and seal this second Day 
of December in the year of our Lord One thou- 
sand eight hundred and twenty 1820. 

"Thos. Willing. (skZH 

"Signed sealed published and de- 
clared by the above named Thomas 
Willing the Testator as and for a Codi- 
cil to his last Will and Testament in 
the Presence of Us at whose request 
in whose presence and in the presence 
of each other we subscribe our Names 
as Witnesses thereto. 

T. Mitchell 

Horatio Rawle 

A. D. Cash. 



214 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"Philadelphia January 29th 1821. Then Person- 
ally Thomas Mitchell Horatio Rawle and Andrew 
D. Cash the witnesses to the aforegoing Codicil 
and on their solemn Affirmation According to Law 
did declare & Say that they did see & hear Thomas 
Willing the Testator in the Said Codicil named 
sign seal publish & declare the same as & for a 
Codicil to his last Will and Testament and that 
at the doing there of he was of sound Mind Memory 
& imderstanding to the best of their knowledge & 
belief. — 

Coram 

Edmund Rogers 
Deputy Register. 
** Thomas May ne Willing, George Willing, Richard 
Willing, & William S. Willing, the Executors 
sworn the same day & Letters Testamentary 
granted unto them. 

*'Will Book No. 7. pp. 229-239. 

"Philadelphia, Pa." 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 215 



ADDENDA. 

Thomas Willing to Mr. Charles Willing." 
"Dear brother 

"M^ Forrest has delivered me a Certificate 
for £173-12/- Issued by the Comp*'. Gen', in 
lieu of the old one granted to Patterson & also 
a draft on the Treasury for the Int^ for 5 year's 
amo*. to £52-1-8- Curr^ of the last Emission, 
w^. waits your order in my hands — 

''I have also enabled Mess'^^ D & C. to pay 
your first draft for D'^ 340; & have this day 
paid off y^ order to M"" Caner 160 Dollars — the 
ballance you'l draw on me for, as occasions may 
require at maturity I shall get the other draft 
paid off in the same way I suppose — 

** Tommy retum'd home last Even^. and tells 
me that you are mend^. fast in health & Strength; 
god grant you may obtain a perfect recovery — 
with care and wholesome Country Air, much 
may be expected, and I hope will be effected 
too — 

*^ Volume of Swift and Willing Letters (Balch Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



2l6 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

"Our very dear Sister, has a flattering prospect 
of relief, if not a perfect cure — for my part, I 
am perswaded she will be restored compleatly. 
She has suffered greatly, has born it with the 
greatest fortitude, & really deserve 's a Cure — All 
the rest of our Circle are well — I hope Lizzy is 
getting better, & that Charles has had no return 
of his fever — I hope he will stick to the plough 
now he has undertaken a Country life, & y". 
you'l have the Credit of making him a compleat 
farmer — 

"Adieu! 

I am ever your's 

Tho'. Willing. 
"Bank Sept^ iS^'^ 1786." 
Superscription — 

"M^ Charles Willing 
^* Coventry 

Chester County." 



willing letters and papers. 21 7 

Thomas Willing to the Spanish Commissioners 
Regarding the Rate of Exchange.*'* 

"Bank of the United States 

"January 23d. 1793 
"Gentlemen 

"Agreeable to your request I have communicated 
the letter which you honoured me with the i8th. 
Inst, to the Directors of the Bank, together with 
your further proposal made to me on Saturday 
last, respecting an Assurance of indemnity to you 
against any difference or loss which cou'd possibly 
take place in the value of the Spanish dollar. 

"I have now the pleasure to inform you that we 
are ready to receive your draft on New York, & 
that we will readily receive and transport to this 
Bank free of cost, any money you have in New 
York, that I am authorized to assure you, that 
whatever sum of money you now have, or may 
have in this Bank after the arrival of the above 
sum from New York, shall be all packed up and 
paid to your order at any time, on three days' 
Notice, in Spanish milled dollars to the full amount 
of whatever sum you may then have in our posses- 
sion, and that you shall not be subject to any loss 

®*MS. letter in the possession of Charles Willing, Esq^, son of 
the late Richard Lloyd Willing, Esqr. 



.'7' 



21 8 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

by any change which can hereafter be established 
by pubHc authority respecting the value of the 
Spanish dollar. 

"I have the honor to be, Sir's, for the 
President Directors & Company of the 
Bank of the United States 
"Your most Obedt. 

"Thos. Willing Prest. 
"The Commissioners 
of His Catholic Majesty." 

Thomas Willing to M''. John Nicholson Esq".**^ 
"Sir 

"Your Stock A/C*. stands Credited w^. four 
Shares of Stock, & the Certificates have as we 
suppose, been in Course deliver'd to you, because 
its the practice with Us to do so — 

"If you can make proof on Oath that they 
have been lost, or otherwise mislaid so that you 
can't come at them — And will Advertise in one 
or more of the Public Papers for Six Weeks the 
No. &c; It will then be agreeable to the rules 
of this Institution to Issue to you a fresh Certifi- 
cate after w^. you may transfer the same — 

®^Volvime of Swift and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 219 

'*No transfer can be admitted without the 

Certificate is presented, nor if the Party is in 

debt to the Bank — 

I am Sir y^ Obed'. 

THO^ Willing Pres^. 
"Bank U. S. 

feby 6^^. 1795. 

"Jn°. Nicholson EsQ^" 

Superscription 

''John Nicholson, Esq". 

"Present." 

Thomas Willing — to his daughter 
Mrs. Clymer.*^* 

"My very dear Molly 

"I congratulate you on the coming in of a 
new year; & most sincerely do I wish you, and 
y^ little family, much good health, and the most 
perfect happiness thro', the Course of this, & 
many succeeding One's — 

"You are favour'd in the possession of a fine 
healthy & lovely babe — She is a pleasing addition 
to the Number of my descendants, & most 
heartily welcome to my family Circle. I hope 

®® Volume of Swifi and Willing Letters (Balch Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



220 WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 

she may ever deserve your attachment and tender 

affections, as well as you have done mine. 

"I send you under this Cover, One hund**. & 

Sixty dollars in bank Notes — Accept them as an 

Annual offering for Pin" & Pocket Money — It is a 

tribute of affection, from a heart devoted to 

your comfort & happiness; and which from the 

warmth of it's feelings & attachment, cou'd here 

add with sincerity many tender expressions of 

regard; such as are often used at the close of a 

letter, from those who love, to those who are 

much, & tenderly beloved; but these are quite 

unnecessary from 

Your friend & father 

THO^ Willing." 
"Jan'^ 6*^ 1796 

"Mary Clymer 

Superscription — "Mrs Mary Clymer 

2^ Street." 

Thomas Willing to Chas. W. Hare, Esq.®^ 
"Dear Charles — 

"I receiv'd your letter a few days ago, in 
which you kindly offer to attend to my land 
concerns in Northampton County, which I hold 

^^ Volume of Swijt and Willing Letters {Balch Papers) in the 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



WILLING LETTERS AND PAPERS. 221 

in equal share with M'. Binghams Estate — I 
have paid a large Sum for those lands, as 
desired so to do by M^ Bingham from time to 
time — of those payments, my Son T. M. W^. 
has the Account, & will show it to you, that it 
may be known, whether I have been deficient as 
to my proportion of the Costs hitherto — 

"As to any settlement now to be made with 
either of the Grantors; you will please to confer 
with my Son Tho^ M. Willing, & do for my 
part, what you do for M^ Binghams Estate — 
And I do hereby engage and bind myself, & my 
heirs, to confirm, and abide by such arrangement 
as you may make — 

"I will also pay my share of any future costs 
you may engage for, to assure my Title to those 
Lands — and am with 

"Sincere affection 

"Y". THO^ Willing 
"Philad^ 

"Jan"^. 28*^ 1806— 

"Charles W. Hare EsQ^" 
Superscription 

''Charles W. Hare Esq\ 
"4*^ Street 

Philad^" 



APPENDIX. 223 



APPENDIX. 

Address and Remonstrance of the Subscribers, 

Inhabitants of the City and Liberties of 

Philadelphia, May, 1776.*^* 

The following remonstrance to the Honourable 
the House of Assembly, which was yesterday 
agreed to at a meeting of a respectable number 
of the inhabitants of this city and liberties, and 
is now signing by them, is earnestly recommended 
to the inhabitants of the different counties of the 
province, that in this, or some similar manner, 
they may express their sentiments upon the protest 
referred to May 22, 1776. 

To the Hon., the Representatives of the 
Freemen of the province of Pennsylvania, in 
Assembly met 

The Address and Remonstrance of the Sub- 
scribers, Inhabitants of the City and Liberties 
of Philadelphia: 

Whereas to our great affliction we find that a 
paper has been presented to the House, stiled 
''The Protest of divers inhabitants of this 

^* Pennsylvania Gazette, May 22nd, 1776, No. 2474, page 3, cols. 1 
and 2. 



224 APPENDIX. 

province," said to be "in behalf of themselves 
and others," the purport of which is to subvert 
and change the constitution of this government, 
upon sundry allegations- which we cannot conceive 
to be well founded; and whereas we think it 
an indispensible duty to ourselves and our 
posterity, to claim and support our birthright 
in the charter and wise laws of Pennsylvania, 
either consented to by ourselves, or delivered 
down to us by our ancestors, as far as may be 
possible, without injury to the public cause of 
America, during the present distressed situation 
of our affairs: We do therefore remonstrate 
against the said protest, for the following 
reasons : 

1st. Because it holds up the Resolve of the 
Congress, of the 15th. instant, as an absolute 
injunction for the "taking up and establishing 
new governments throughout all the united colonies, 
under the authority of the people." Whereas 
said resolve is only a conditional recommendation 
"to the respective Assemblies and Conventions 
of the United Colonies, where no government 
sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been 
established, to adopt such governments as shall, 
in the opinion of the Representatives of the People, 



APPENDIX. 225 

best conduce to the happiness and safety of 
their constituents in particular, and America in 
general. And here it is obvious to remark, 
that in this and every other resolve of Congress, 
where, ''Assemblies and Conventions'' are referred 
to, it must be intended (and the practice has 
been accordingly) that wherever Assemblies exist, 
and can meet as the ancient constitutional 
bodies in their respective colonies, the public 
business is to be carried on by them, and by 
Conventions, only in those urgent cases where 
arbitrary Governors, by prorogations and dissolu- 
tions, prevent the Representatives of the People 
from sitting to deliberate on their own affairs, 
or have subverted the constitutions, by abdicating 
their offices, and levying war against these 
colonies. That the assembly of this province 
cannot be prorogued or dissolved; that they have 
been exceeded by no province in their noble 
exertions in the common cause of liberty; that 
by the Resolve of Congress, who have never 
interferred in the domestic police {sic) of the 
colonies, the Representatives of the People are 
left as the sole judges, whether their governments 
be "sufficient for the exigencies of their affairs" 
or not; That our courts of law are open, justice 



226 APPENDIX. 

has been administered with a due attention to 
our circumstances, and large sums of money 
issued, the credit of which might be shaken, 
and nimiberless confusions ensue, from innova- 
tions hastily or unnecessarily made. 
2d. We remonstrate against the said Protest, 
as setting on foot a measure which tends to 
disunion, and must damp the zeal of multitudes 
of the good people of Pennsylvania in the 
common cause, who, having a high veneration 
for their civil and religious rights, as secured 
by our charter, never conceived, when they 
engaged, among other things, for the support 
of the charter rights of another colony, that 
they would be called upon to make a sacrifice of 
their own charter. Nor can we now see anything 
in our situation which requires such an unequal 
sacrifice, while other colonies, particularly Connec- 
ticut and Rhode Island, the authority of whose 
Assemblies is the same way derived by charter 
as ours, continue their ancient forms of govern- 
ment by these bodies, without Conventions. 

That whatever temporary alteration in forms 
the urgency of affairs, or the authority of the 
people, can be conceived to justify or render 
expedient, that authority is fully vested in our 



APPENDIX. 227 

Representatives in Assembly freely and annually 
chosen. 

Six parts in seven of your body are, by our 
inestimable charter, vested with the power of 
determining this matter. We look to you, as 
entrusted with the conservation of our rights, 
and are firmly of opinion, that your constituents 
in general will chearfully be governed by what- 
ever your wisdom may ordain in the present 
exigency . . . humbly recommending it to you 
always to keep in mind, that in times of con- 
fusion every change should be cautiously adopted, 
and only such made as are absolutely necessary. 
In which particular the province of South 
Carolina (when impelled by necessity) has set a 
laudable example, regulating themselves with a 
view towards, and only until, "an accommoda- 
tion of the unhappy differences between Great 
Britain and America can be obtained, an event 
which" though traduced and treated as rebels 
they still profess earnestly to desire. 



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